30 countries participate in International Tourism Mart in Assam, India
Travel Biz News –
Hundreds of buyers and sellers from more than 30 countries have participated in the 12th Edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM), held in Kaziranga, Assam this week.
The ITM 2024 has seen a maximum participation from 30 Countries, which includes 15 International Influencers from 11 Countries(Spain, Myanmar, Thailand, Bhutan, Italy, Vietnam, Russia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia and France), 24 International Tour operators from 16 Countries(France, UK, Spain, Netherland, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos, Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Denmark), and 20 International Students from 17 Countries (Korea, Netherlands, Seychelles, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Turkmenistan, Laos, Syria, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh).
Similarly, 46 domestic buyers, 7 domestic influencers and 101 domestic sellers are also attending the event.
The Mart (ITM) was inaugurated by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in presence of Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma and Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu on November 26 amidst a ceremony in Kaziranga.
Tourism Minister Shekhawat in his address 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.
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.
Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma 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 industry but as a transformative force for cultural exchange, ecological preservation and economic development, he added.
From November 26th to 29th, 2024, in Kaziranga, Assam, the ITM takes place in Northeast region 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 to the allure of this event.
A Coffee Table Book on Assam “Guwahati and Around” published by Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited was also launched.
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 FAM tours of various destinations in North East, according to a release issued by Press Information Bureau, Delhi.
The International Tourism Mart (ITM) 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.
November 27, 2024
Photo: Ministry of Tourism / PIB India
