Tawang, the picturesque town in Arunachal Pradesh, is hosting the 14th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM), a three-day event that has brought together more than 200 domestic and international tourism stakeholders to showcase the Northeast’s tourism potential and forge new business partnerships.
The annual flagship event of the Union Tourism Ministry, organised in association with the Arunachal Pradesh government and other northeastern states, is being held from October 29 to 31. The inaugural programme at Vivanta Tawang on Thursday was attended by Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
The mart aims to position the Northeast as a prominent destination in domestic and international markets, offering a platform for tourism businesses, entrepreneurs, tour operators, government agencies and media representatives to explore collaborations and expand tourism linkages across the region.
A key highlight of the event is the strong international presence. According to the organisers, 43 international buyers from 22 countries are participating, including Australia, Bhutan, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Domestic buyers, tourism service providers and sellers from all eight northeastern states are also taking part, with business interactions expected to facilitate new partnerships and wider market access.
The event features the inauguration of the North East Bazaar and cultural performances that showcase the region’s diverse traditions and heritage.
A regional meeting of tourism ministers from the northeastern states is scheduled for October 30 under the chairmanship of Shekhawat. The meeting will focus on tourism development and strengthening cooperation among the states.
The same day will also see Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions, bringing domestic and international buyers together with tourism service providers from the Northeast to explore new tourism products, expand market access and develop commercial partnerships. In addition, destination and tourism product presentations by Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura will highlight each state’s distinctive attractions and experiences, alongside combined tourism circuits and products spanning the region.
Technical sessions will address key challenges and opportunities in regional tourism. These include promoting live events and concerts, led by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and facilitating tourist access to Protected and Restricted Areas, led by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Organisers expect the mart to provide a platform for stakeholders to develop new itineraries, strengthen industry networks and increase the Northeast’s visibility among domestic and international travellers.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/video/43-global-buyers-8-states-tawang-tourism-mart-seeks-to-put-northeast-on-world-travel-map-1469227-2026-10-29?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-10-29 22:41:00
