The four-day event in Gangtok will bring together global buyers, influencers, and tourism leaders to spotlight the region’s eco-friendly and adventure tourism potential

Guwahati, Nov 12: The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is set to organize the 13th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) for the North Eastern Region from November 13 to 16, in Gangtok, Sikkim — marking a major step toward positioning the Northeast as a global destination for sustainable, cultural, and adventure tourism.

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will inaugurate the event in the presence of Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and tourism ministers and officials from all eight Northeastern states.

According to a whitepaper brought out by real estate consultancy HVS–ANAROCK, titled “Northeast India: A Hidden Gem for Tourism Potential,” the eight Northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—together accounted for just 0.43% of domestic and 1.17% of foreign tourist visits in 2024, underscoring how underexplored the region remains.

The International Tourism Mart is the Ministry’s annual flagship event designed to highlight the Northeast — often called the “Ashta Lakshmi” of India — for its natural beauty, cultural richness, and unique tourism offerings. This year’s edition reinforces the Ministry’s Travel for Life initiative, focusing on responsible and inclusive tourism practices.

Sikkim has gained global recognition for its organic farming, eco-conscious development, and vibrant local traditions — aligning perfectly with the event’s vision of promoting community-led tourism models across India.

The 2025 Mart will see participation from 19 countries, including Spain, Thailand, France, Russia, Germany, and Vietnam, with 39 international tour operators, 50 domestic buyers, 91 sellers, and travel influencers and media representatives attending. The program features technical sessions, panel discussions, and B2B meetings, focusing on cinematic tourism, homestays, youth entrepreneurship, digital innovation, sustainability, and adventure tourism.

Beyond the business sessions, the Mart will host cultural performances celebrating the region’s diverse heritage, along with technical visits to key sites such as Rumtek Monastery, Do Drul Chorten, and Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. Product presentations will spotlight wildlife and river cruise tourism, heritage and crafts, festivals, culinary traditions, and adventure travel.

Post-event familiarization tours will offer delegates first-hand experiences across the Northeast, from its tea estates and mountain trails to its festivals and indigenous communities.

Also Read: Meghalaya bags ‘Top Performer’ award in Business Entry Reform at Udyog Samagam 2025

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