Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on June 15, 2026, told delegates at the India Today Tourism Survey & Awards in Goa that he and his family have a strong personal affinity for Northeast India and that, given the chance, he would prefer a long road trip across the region. He said while “every destination in India holds equal importance,” the Northeast has become a favourite for his family after years of travel there.
Shekhawat recalled travelling widely across India before 2014, including multiple journeys from Jodhpur to Pangong and several visits to Nagaland, and said those experiences shaped his preference for extended, overland exploration of the Northeast. He framed his remarks within a broader assessment of India’s place in global tourism and the country’s evolving travel economy.
On international comparisons, the minister argued that direct contrasts with nations such as France require context because of geographic and economic advantages tied to the European Union and France’s role as an international fashion and business hub. He suggested more relevant peers for India are regional destinations like Thailand, Sri Lanka and Dubai, and said India receives around 20 million international travellers annually — a number that falls when Non‑Resident Indians are excluded from the tally.
Shekhawat highlighted a defining feature of India’s tourism profile: the scale of domestic travel and the generally longer length of stay by international visitors. He noted that many competitors, such as the Maldives, Dubai and Thailand, often draw short, high‑frequency visits, whereas visitors to India tend to stay longer, producing a larger economic impact per tourist.
Outlining targets, the minister reiterated the government’s goal to attract 100 million foreign tourists by 2047 and to raise tourism’s share of GDP from about six percent to ten percent. He acknowledged, however, that increasing international volumes faces challenges linked to traveller preferences and costs.
Shekhawat divided international visitors into three broad segments — luxury travellers, backpackers and budget travellers, with the latter forming the largest group — and said rising incomes and booming domestic tourism have driven up prices, making India less affordable for cost‑sensitive visitors. To counter this, he said the Centre has worked with states to boost hospitality investment, including extending infrastructure status to hospitality projects under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and that since taking charge of the ministry in 2024 he has reviewed state tourism and investment policies to encourage greater private participation and expand accommodation and transport capacity.
The minister concluded that India’s tourism sector still has substantial untapped potential and expressed confidence that the country’s global appeal is strengthening as infrastructure and investment grow.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/what-makes-northeast-a-preferred-travel-destination-for-union-tourism-minister-gajendra-shekhawat-1408756-2026-06-15?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-06-15 23:40:00
