Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, October 28: Tawang is scheduled to host the 14th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) from October 29 to 31, bringing together tourism stakeholders to promote the natural landscapes, cultural heritage and travel experiences of Northeast India.
The Ministry of Tourism is organising the three-day event in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government and other northeastern states. According to the official announcement issued on October 28, the event will take place at Hotel Vivanta in Tawang. More than 200 participants, including domestic and international buyers and sellers, are expected to attend.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: The 14th International Tourism Mart is scheduled to promote Northeast India's tourism potential.
Location: Hotel Vivanta, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from October 29–31, 2026.
Authority/Organisation: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in association with the Arunachal Pradesh government and other northeastern states.
Action Taken: The ministry has announced a three-day programme with tourism presentations, B2B sessions, cultural activities and technical visits.
- Impact: The event aims to strengthen tourism partnerships, increase destination visibility and create market opportunities for regional tourism businesses.
International participation and business opportunities
The ministry expects participation from 43 international buyers representing 22 countries, alongside domestic buyers, tourism service providers and sellers from the eight northeastern states.
The event is designed to help tourism businesses establish connections, explore partnerships and develop tourism products for domestic and international markets. Participation figures are projections announced ahead of the event and should not be interpreted as final attendance numbers.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Tourism businesses: B2B meetings can help local operators connect with domestic and international travel buyers. Regional visibility: Presentations from all eight northeastern states can introduce a wider range of destinations and travel experiences. Local livelihoods: Tourism activity can create opportunities for guides, accommodation providers, transport operators, artisans and food businesses. Cultural promotion: The North East Bazaar and cultural performances provide space to showcase regional traditions and products. Travel planning: Discussions on access to Protected and Restricted Areas can help stakeholders understand administrative requirements affecting some destinations. Sustainable growth: Long-term benefits will depend on responsible tourism practices, visitor management, infrastructure and the distribution of economic opportunities among local communities.
All eight northeastern states to showcase tourism
Destination and tourism-product presentations are planned from all eight states in the region:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Assam
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Sikkim
- Tripura
The presentations will highlight individual state attractions as well as combined tourism circuits and experiences that could encourage visitors to explore more than one destination during a trip.
Northeast India offers a range of tourism experiences, including mountain landscapes, monasteries, local traditions, wildlife, adventure travel and regional cuisines. The Mart provides a platform for tourism representatives to present these offerings to travel businesses and other potential partners.
Business-to-business meetings on October 30
Structured business-to-business sessions are scheduled for October 30. These meetings will connect domestic and international buyers with tourism service providers from the region.
The objective is to encourage commercial partnerships, support the development of travel products and improve market access for tourism entrepreneurs. The actual business outcomes will depend on the discussions and agreements reached during the event.
Technical discussions on tourism development
The programme also includes technical sessions on key issues affecting tourism in the Northeast.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is expected to lead discussions on developing the region's live-events and concert economy. The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to lead a session on facilitating tourist access to Protected and Restricted Areas.
These discussions address two different aspects of tourism development: creating new visitor experiences and understanding the administrative requirements that affect travel to certain locations.
North East Bazaar and cultural activities
The North East Bazaar will showcase regional arts, handicrafts, textiles and cultural heritage. Cultural performances and regional cuisine are also planned as part of the event.
These activities will give delegates an opportunity to engage with local traditions and products alongside the formal tourism presentations and business meetings.
Tourism visits around Tawang
Technical visits are planned to several attractions in and around Tawang, including Tawang Monastery, Jaswant Garh War Memorial, Jang Waterfall, Tawang War Memorial, Urgelling Gompa, Buddha Park, Pankang Teng Tso Lake and Shernup Village.
The visits are intended to familiarise participants with the area's spiritual heritage, natural scenery and rural tourism experiences.
A meeting of tourism ministers from the northeastern states is also scheduled for October 30, chaired by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Return to Tawang after 13 years
The 2026 edition marks the Mart's return to Tawang after 13 years. The town last hosted the event's second edition in 2013, while the previous edition was held in Gangtok, Sikkim, in November 2025.
The upcoming event is expected to raise the visibility of Tawang and other northeastern destinations among travel businesses. Whether this leads to sustained growth in tourism, new investment or increased visitor numbers will depend on follow-up partnerships, travel accessibility, infrastructure and visitor services.
