By Mayuraxi Kalita
Assam, long regarded as the gateway to Northeast India, is rapidly repositioning tourism as a key engine of economic growth thanks to improved connectivity, targeted policies and the rise of niche experiences such as tea and food tourism. Historically the state accounted for only about 0.23% of India’s domestic tourists and 0.09% of foreign visitors, but recent infrastructure projects and promotional efforts have begun closing that gap. Tourist arrivals jumped from roughly 17 lakh in 2021–22 to nearly 98 lakh in 2022–23, and the state recorded about 70 lakh visitors in 2023–24; over the last four years Assam has welcomed more than 2.4 crore tourists.
Improved accessibility is central to this turnaround. Expansion of the Guwahati airport terminal has strengthened domestic and international links, while national highways and major road corridors have shortened travel times to key destinations. Large-scale works such as the proposed Guwahati Ring Road and a concept for a Brahmaputra tunnel aim to further ease intra‑state mobility. Recent inaugurations of projects worth around Rs 5,000 crore-focusing on roads, bridges and urban infrastructure-have also boosted investor confidence in hospitality and allied sectors.
Beyond hard infrastructure, Assam is diversifying its tourism offer. River tourism on the Brahmaputra, including luxury cruise services, is emerging as a signature product. Wildlife tourism remains a backbone: the state has seven national parks and 19 wildlife sanctuaries, with Kaziranga National Park globally renowned for its one‑horned rhinoceros population. Religious tourism is being enhanced through projects such as the Kamakhya ropeway to improve pilgrim access.
Tea and food tourism are fast becoming high‑value niches. Assam produces over 50% of India’s tea, and many estates now offer heritage stays, plantation walks, tea‑plucking experiences and factory tours. Small-scale bed-and-breakfasts inside tea gardens provide immersive, nature‑based stays that benefit local communities and generate rural employment. Food tourism, buoyed by festivals and cultural events-Rongali Bihu, Ambubachi Mela, the Brahmaputra River Festival and Majuli Festival among them-showcases Assamese cuisine and supports local vendors and entrepreneurs.
Government schemes and state policy have underpinned this momentum. Central initiatives such as Swadesh Darshan (including Swadesh Darshan 2.0 projects for Kokrajhar and tea‑tourism sites) and the PRASHAD pilgrimage programme have financed circuit development and shrine infrastructure. At the state level, the Assam Tourism Policy 2022 emphasizes sustainable development, private investment and integrated infrastructure to align growth with ecological and cultural preservation.
Despite progress, challenges remain: inadequate last‑mile connectivity to remote attractions, seasonal floods, limited high‑end tourism infrastructure and relatively low global visibility. Sustaining gains will demand careful balancing of expansion with conservation, and stronger marketing to attract premium international visitors. If managed thoughtfully, Assam can not only increase arrivals but also redefine tourism in Northeast India as nature‑rooted, culturally rich and inclusively developed.
(The author may be contacted at [email protected])
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/04/10/from-untapped-potential-to-a-powerhouse-transformation-of-tourism-in-assam/
Category: Economy,NATIONAL,REGIONAL
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Publish Date: 2026-04-10 14:40:00
