ITANAGAR, OCT 28:
Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh will host the 14th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) from Thursday, bringing together over 200 domestic and international tourism stakeholders, including buyers and sellers, to showcase the tourism potential of the North Eastern region and promote business partnerships.
Organised by the Union Tourism Ministry in association with the Arunachal Pradesh government and other northeastern states, the three-day event will be held from October 29 to 31.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi, and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu will attend the inaugural programme on Thursday, a state Tourism department statement said.
The event will feature the inauguration of the North East Bazaar and cultural performances showcasing the region’s rich traditions.
The annual flagship event of the Tourism Ministry aims to promote the northeastern region as a tourism destination in domestic and international markets. It provides a platform for tourism businesses, entrepreneurs, tour operators, government agencies, and media representatives to explore collaboration opportunities and strengthen tourism linkages.
The event is expected to attract 43 international buyers from 22 countries, including Australia, Bhutan, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States, it said.
Domestic buyers, tourism service providers and sellers from the eight northeastern states will also participate in the event, facilitating business interactions and partnerships.
A regional meeting of tourism ministers from the northeastern states will also be held on October 30 under the chairmanship of the Union Tourism and Culture Minister to discuss tourism development and strengthen cooperation among the states, it said.
Destination and tourism product presentations by Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura will highlight the distinctive attractions and experiences offered by each state, along with combined tourism circuits and products of the region.
Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions scheduled for October 30 will facilitate structured interactions between domestic and international buyers and tourism service providers from the Northeast, with the aim of developing tourism products, expanding market access and promoting business collaborations.
Technical sessions will focus on key issues concerning tourism development in the region, including the promotion of 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.
Royal Enfield will also make a presentation on ‘Beyond Destinations: Creating Immersive Journeys in North East India’, exploring opportunities for experience-based tourism.
The North East Bazaar will showcase traditional arts, handicrafts, textiles and cultural heritage, while cultural performances and regional cuisines will offer delegates a glimpse of the diverse traditions of the eight northeastern states.
Technical visits have been planned to prominent tourist attractions in and around Tawang, including Tawang Monastery, Jaswant Garh War Memorial, Jang Waterfall, Tawang War Memorial, Urgelling Gompa, the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, Buddha Park, Pankang Teng Tso Lake and Shernup Village.
The visits are intended to familiarise participants with the region’s spiritual heritage, natural landscapes, local traditions and rural tourism experiences. Familiarisation tours for international delegates will begin from Guwahati on November 1.
The International Tourism Mart returns 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 last year. (Source: PTI)
