Ministry of Tourism Northeast Development Initiatives
The Ministry of Tourism has implemented comprehensive measures to promote tourism in the North Eastern Region through multiple initiatives. The ministry organizes International Tourism Marts (ITM) annually since 2013, with the latest held in Gangtok, Sikkim from November 13-16, 2025, serving as a platform for tourism businesses from all eight Northeastern states to engage with buyers, sellers, and government agencies.
Digital and Promotional Activities
The revamped Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) launched in September 2024 features Northeast tourism destinations in Hindi, English, and UN languages. Regular social media promotions include creative posts, live sessions, and tweets about Northeast destinations, along with production of promotional materials for domestic and international markets.
Financial Assistance and Infrastructure Development
Under the DPPH scheme, the ministry provides Central Financial Assistance to state governments for organizing fairs and festivals. Detailed state-wise allocations from 2014-15 to 2025-26 show significant funding: Assam received ₹135 lakh for various festivals including Rass Mahotsav and Rongali Festival; Arunachal Pradesh received ₹454 lakh for events like Nyokum Festival and Orange Festival; Manipur received ₹250 lakh primarily for Sangai Festival; Meghalaya received ₹483.22 lakh for Wangala and Nongkrem Dance Festivals; Mizoram received ₹410 lakh for Anthurium and Winter Festivals; Nagaland received ₹290 lakh for Hornbill and other cultural festivals; Sikkim received ₹296.5 lakh for Red Panda Winter Carnival and tourism events; Tripura received ₹194.35 lakh for Neermahal and Diwali Festivals.
Infrastructure development is supported through Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASHAD scheme, and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development. The ministry collaborates with Civil Aviation on RCS-UDAN scheme, providing Viability Gap Funding for 10 Northeast tourism routes including Dibrugarh-Dimapur, Dimapur-Imphal, Agartala-Aizawl, and Guwahati-Hollongi connections.
Swachhta Initiatives
The Swachhta Action Plan implemented in coordination with Ministry of Jal Shakti involved 200 cleanliness-awareness activities in 2025-26 through IITTM, Central IHMs, State IHMs and FCIs. Additionally, 277 activities under Swachhta Pakhwada and 244 under Swachhta Hi Sewa were conducted in September and October 2025 across India including Northeast states.
Tourist Footfall Data
2025 Full Year Data:
- Arunachal Pradesh: 913,383 domestic, 4,582 foreign visitors
- Assam: 9,055,943 domestic, 33,858 foreign visitors
- Manipur: 25,281 domestic, 2,892 foreign visitors
- Meghalaya: 1,848,239 domestic, 7,116 foreign visitors
- Mizoram: 828,223 domestic, 11,484 foreign visitors
- Nagaland: 127,428 domestic, 5,425 foreign visitors
- Sikkim: 1,654,838 domestic, 68,992 foreign visitors
- Tripura: 681,103 domestic, 27,320 foreign visitors
January-June 2026 Data:
- Arunachal Pradesh: 627,084 domestic, 2,372 foreign visitors
- Assam: 4,604,112 domestic, 32,471 foreign visitors
- Manipur: 12,744 domestic, 1,219 foreign visitors
- Meghalaya: 515,320 domestic (Jan-Mar only), 2,516 foreign visitors
- Mizoram: 494,362 domestic, 7,389 foreign visitors
- Nagaland: 27,305 domestic, 1,131 foreign visitors
- Sikkim: 2,352,725 domestic, 43,734 foreign visitors
- Tripura: 384,453 domestic, 9,424 foreign visitors
This information was presented by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the Lok Sabha.