New Delhi || 27-11-2024
In his address Union Minister Shekhawat underscored the Northeast’s legacy, cultural diversity, and natural wealth emphasizing its rich cuisine, crafts and biodiversity.
This ITM is a remarkable opportunity for Northeast India to showcase its rich culture and diversity to the world and also offers a platform for people from across the globe to witness the extraordinary heritage of this region, he said.
He further highlighted the significance of hosting the ITM in Kaziranga, stating that it reflects the increasing importance of the Northeast on the national stage. Mentioning the event in Kaziranga as special, the minister said that over the past decade, development in the region has accelerated.
The Minister noted that hosting ITM in Kaziranga aligns with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Kaziranga being declared a national park. He acknowledged the park’s remarkable growth, with its area expanding from 400 sq. km to 1,300 sq. km in the last 10 years.
This event not only celebrates Kaziranga’s legacy but also provides a platform to explore the vast tourism potential of the Northeast. The region holds immense potential and this Mart serves as a gateway to enhance it, Minister Shekhawat stated.
The minister also added that the tourism potential of India is set to grow more in the coming years, with the Northeast playing a pivotal role in this growth.
Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma in his address said that this mart offers the international students and global influencers an immersive opportunity to explore the region’s natural beauty and cultural richness. This event will highlight the vast potential of tourism in NE not just as an industry but as a transformative force for cultural exchange, ecological preservation and economic development, he added.
The ITM takes place from November 26th to 29th, 2024 in the Northeast region Kaziranga, Assam renowned for its diverse topography, rich flora and fauna, vibrant ethnic communities, ancient traditions, festivals, and abundant arts and crafts. Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the majestic one-horned rhino, adds colour to this event.
This ITM celebrates multiple achievements of North-east India’s tourism & cultural prowess. In July this year, ‘Maidams of Charaideo’ were declared as the 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Site from India. As cultural heritage from the times of the great Ahom dynasty, their declaration as World Heritage is a testament to the immense tourism & cultural significance of Assam and North-east India. Celebrations are also held for the 50 years of Kaziranga being declared as a National Park.
This year’s Mart featured a variety of activities, including presentations by State Governments, B2B meetings, panel discussions on Employment, Innovation, Digitalization, Youth entrepreneurship, Vocal for Local, Women Empowerment, Case studies on Advancing Adventure Tourism, Conservation and promotion of Wildlife, Homestay, Wine Tourism, curated food demonstrations, cultural evenings, live music, a Northeast Bazaar, and technical visits to Charaideo Maidams, Rangghar, Kaziranga National Park, Hathikuli Tea Estate, and the Orchid and Biodiversity Park. Post Event FAM tours of various destinations in the North East.
ITM will exemplify a strong commitment to sustainability, aligning with the Travel for Life initiative of the Ministry of Tourism. The event is being organized with a focus on minimizing environmental impact, employing energy-efficient practices.
A Coffee Table Book on Assam “Guwahati and Around” published by Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited was also launched. The book takes a comprehensive look at the rich heritage, culture and diversity of Guwahati and its picturesque surroundings. The book is a visual tapestry in words capturing the true essence of the region.
The ITM 2024 has seen a maximum participation from 30 Countries, Which includes 15 International Influencers from 11 Countries 24 International Tour operators from 16 Countries, 20 International Students from 17 Countries. Domestic Buyers, Domestic Influencers and Domestic sellers also attending the event.
The International Tourism Mart is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, designed to highlight the tourism potential of the North Eastern region for both domestic and international audiences. This event serves as a vital platform, bringing together tourism businesses and entrepreneurs from the eight North Eastern States—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—to foster collaboration and interactions among buyers, sellers, media, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
