Development of Tourism in the North-Eastern Region

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of Tourism actively promotes tourism in the North-Eastern Region (NER) through various initiatives and schemes.
• The International Tourism Mart (ITM) is an annual event held in the NER since 2013, with the latest edition in Gangtok, Sikkim, in November 2025.
• The Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) was revamped in September 2024 to enhance online engagement and promote NER destinations.
• Schemes like Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASHAD provide financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development in the region.
• Air connectivity to NER is boosted through the RCS-UDAN scheme, with Viability Gap Funding from the Champion Service Sector Scheme.
• Assam recorded the highest domestic tourist visits in NER in 2025 with over 90.5 lakh, while Sikkim led in foreign tourist visits with nearly 69,000.

Detailed Insights:

• The ITM serves as a crucial platform for tourism businesses and stakeholders from the eight North Eastern States to collaborate.
• The IIDP features content in Hindi, English, and UN languages, showcasing NER destinations to a global audience.
• Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is provided to State Governments under the DPPH scheme for organizing fairs and festivals in the NER.
• Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) aims for sustainable and responsible tourism development with a destination-centric approach.
• The Swachhta Action Plan (SAP) conducts cleanliness awareness programs and observes Swachhta Pakhwada and Swachhta Hi Sewa in NER.
• Specific NER routes have been included as Tourism RCS routes to improve air links to key tourist locations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• International Tourism Mart (ITM): An annual event to promote tourism potential and foster collaboration among stakeholders in the North Eastern Region.
• Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A Ministry of Tourism scheme for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in India, revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
• PRASHAD Scheme: Focuses on identifying and developing pilgrimage and heritage sites to provide a holistic pilgrimage experience.
• RCS-UDAN Scheme: A regional connectivity scheme by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to make air travel affordable and widespread.