International Tourism Mart in Tawang to Promote Northeast India Tourism on 29–31 October

The tourism ministry is holding its annual international conclave in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from October 29-31. The 14th International Tourism Mart aims to present the Northeast as a tourism hub. The ministry said the programme will bring buyers and sellers together. Officials said the plan includes cultural shows and a North East Bazaar on the opening day.

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The inaugural session of the International Tourism Mart will be attended by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi will also join the opening. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu is scheduled to be present as well. The ministry said the inaugural session will take place on Thursday.

International Tourism Mart participation and buyer countries

Officials said more than 200 participants are likely to attend the tourism mart. The ministry expects 43 international buyers from 22 countries. The list includes Australia, Bhutan, France, Germany, Indonesia and Italy. It also includes Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Russia and Singapore.

The ministry said the expected buyer list also includes South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The UAE, the UK and the US are included as well. Officials said other countries may also be represented. The event is expected to connect these overseas buyers with tourism providers from the region. The ministry described it as a key annual platform.

International Tourism Mart business meetings and state cooperation

Officials said the mart will also bring domestic buyers to meet tourism sellers. Tourism service providers from the eight northeastern states are expected to participate. The format is designed for business interaction and possible partnerships. Business-to-business B2B sessions are scheduled for October 30. Officials said these meetings aim to support market access for regional entrepreneurs.

A separate meeting of tourism ministers from the northeastern states is also planned. Officials said it will be held on October 30 on the sidelines. The meeting will be chaired by Shekhawat. The ministry said the session will focus on strengthening tourism in the region. Officials said it will also discuss cooperation among the stakeholder states.

International Tourism Mart history and destination presentations

The 14th edition returns to Tawang after 13 years, the ministry said. The second edition took place in Tawang in 2013. The ministry said the 2025 edition was held in Gangtok, Sikkim, in November. Officials described the International Tourism Mart as the ministry’s annual flagship event. Its stated goal is promoting the Northeast in domestic and overseas markets.

Officials said the 2026 edition will feature destination and tourism product presentations. All eight northeastern states will take part. The states are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Presentations will cover each state’s tourism experiences and attractions. Officials said combined regional circuits and shared products will be presented too.

International Tourism Mart technical visits around Tawang

The ministry said technical visits are planned for participants during the conclave. Sites include the Tawang Monastery and Jaswant Garh War Memorial. The itinerary also lists Jang Waterfall and the Tawang War Memorial. Urgelling Gompa, noted as the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, is included. Other sites are Buddha Park, Pankang Teng Tso Lake and Shernup Village.

Officials said the visits are meant to give first-hand exposure to the region. The ministry said participants will see spiritual sites and natural landscapes. Organisers said the programme will also reflect local traditions. Rural tourism experiences are part of the planned exposure. The ministry said these elements support the event’s aim of building tourism linkages.

With inputs from PTI