International Tourism Mart in Kaziranga is set to place Assam and the wider Northeast firmly in the global tourism spotlight, with the 12th edition of the event scheduled from November 26 to 29, 2024. The Ministry of Tourism organised the major tourism showcase in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, bringing together tourism stakeholders, international buyers, influencers and officials to promote the region’s diverse attractions.
Kaziranga provides a powerful setting
The decision to host the International Tourism Mart in Kaziranga carries particular significance because of the park’s global reputation for wildlife and conservation. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the iconic one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga offers an ideal backdrop for showcasing Assam’s natural wealth to visitors from India and abroad.
The 2024 edition also coincided with the 50th anniversary of Kaziranga being declared a national park. Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the park’s expansion and its growing importance as a tourism destination. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Kaziranga’s area expanded from around 400 square kilometres to 1,300 square kilometres over the preceding decade.
The event also came at an important moment for Assam’s heritage tourism. In July 2024, the Moidams of Charaideo were inscribed as India’s 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Site, adding another major attraction to the state’s tourism portfolio.
International Tourism Mart to connect Northeast destinations
The event is designed to promote the tourism potential of all eight northeastern states — Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.
The Ministry expected around 400 participants, including international and domestic tour operators, hoteliers, homestay owners, tourism service providers, influencers, opinion makers, government officials, media representatives and international students.
The gathering is intended to create stronger links between buyers and sellers while giving tourism businesses across the Northeast an opportunity to present new products and destinations. Business-to-business meetings and interactions with government stakeholders are also expected to support new partnerships and tourism opportunities.
Wide range of activities planned
The International Tourism Mart programme includes presentations by state governments, B2B meetings, panel discussions, food demonstrations, cultural evenings, live music and a Northeast Bazaar.
The event also features technical visits to several important destinations. These include the Charaideo Moidams, Rang Ghar, Kaziranga National Park, Hathikuli Tea Estate and the Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park. Such visits are aimed at giving participants direct exposure to the region’s wildlife, heritage, tea culture and biodiversity.
Panel discussions cover areas such as employment, innovation, digitalisation, youth entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, adventure tourism, wildlife conservation and homestays. The programme also focuses on local products and the wider role of tourism in supporting communities.
Sustainability remains a major focus
With Kaziranga serving as the venue, environmental responsibility is expected to remain central to the event.
The Ministry said the programme would align with its Travel for Life initiative and focus on reducing its environmental impact. Energy-efficient practices and the elimination of single-use plastics were among the measures planned for the event. Dedicated shuttle services were also arranged to facilitate transportation while reducing pressure on the local environment.
The sustainability focus reflects the growing importance of balancing tourism growth with conservation. For a destination such as Kaziranga, where wildlife protection is closely connected with tourism, responsible travel can play an important role in supporting both the local economy and ecological preservation.
Assam aims for stronger global tourism visibility
For Assam, hosting the International Tourism Mart offers an opportunity to present the state beyond its traditional wildlife tourism image. Kaziranga, Assam’s tea estates, historical sites and cultural traditions together form a diverse tourism offering.
The event also seeks to give international students and global influencers a first-hand experience of Northeast India. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the gathering could help demonstrate how tourism can contribute to cultural exchange, ecological preservation and economic development.
The programme further includes a showcase of local cuisine, handicrafts, music and cultural traditions, allowing visitors and tourism professionals to explore the region through experiences beyond conventional sightseeing.
A wider opportunity for Northeast India
The significance of the event extends beyond Assam. The International Tourism Mart provides a common platform for northeastern states to promote their destinations, tourism products and cultural assets to international and domestic markets.
The participation of tour operators, buyers, influencers and media professionals can help create greater visibility for lesser-known destinations while encouraging new tourism circuits across the region.
With Kaziranga at the centre of the event, Assam is positioned to demonstrate how wildlife, heritage, culture and sustainable tourism can work together. The tourism showcase therefore represents an important opportunity to strengthen the Northeast’s position on India’s tourism map and attract greater international attention to its unique destinations.