Gangtok: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday inaugurated the 13th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) for the Northeastern region at Pangthang near Gangtok.
“Over the years, ITM has emerged as a remarkable platform for all 8 North Eastern States to showcase their unique tourism potential, explore new opportunities and strengthen our collective brand as a vibrant and diverse region,” CM Khandu said in a post on X.
Khandu expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of Tourism, noting that their special focus and continued support to the North Eastern Region had significantly boosted tourism growth and connectivity across the states.
This is the second time Sikkim has hosted the Tourism Mart since its inception in 2013.
Sikkim Tourism Minister Tshering Thendup Bhutia said it was a proud moment for the state to be selected as the host of the event. He noted that Sikkim stands as a remarkable example of natural beauty and cultural diversity, adding that this makes the 22nd state—and the entire Northeast—a true jewel in India’s diverse tourism landscape.
Around 90 delegates from 22 Indian states and 39 tour and travel operators from 19 countries are participating in the event.
Tourism Ministers of Assam, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, among others, were also present on the occasion.
The ‘International Tourism Mart’ is a flagship annual event organised by the Ministry of Tourism, aimed at showcasing the tourism potential of the Northeastern region to both domestic and international audiences as a unified tourism destination.
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The Mart highlights the diversity of the region’s offerings, ranging from eco-tourism and adventure activities like trekking, river rafting, and paragliding, to wellness, spiritual, rural, wildlife, and cultural heritage tourism.
