Kaziranga, Assam, is set to host the 12th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) from November 26 to 29, 2024. This annual event, arranged by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, desires to showcase the expansive tourism possibility of the North Eastern region for domestic and international audiences.
The ITM acts as a medium to encourage collaboration between tourism businesses, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from the eight North Eastern states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim. Famous for its various landscapes, rich biodiversity, ethnic traditions, vibrant festivals, and beautiful arts and crafts, the region promises to offer a unique experience for tourists.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its one-horned rhinos, will add to the event's appeal. This year, the park is celebrating 50 years as a national park, improving its importance in this edition of ITM.
The Director General of Tourism, Ms. Mugdha Sinha, informed the media and stated that the event is expected to attract around 400 participants. These include international and domestic tour operators, hoteliers, homestay owners, tourism service providers, influencers, senior government officials, media agents, and international students.
The three-day event will feature diverse activities, including presentations by state governments, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, panel discussions, food demonstrations, cultural evenings, live music performances, and a North East Bazaar showcasing regional crafts and products.
Participants will also have the opportunity to embark on technical visits to famous sites such as:
- Charaideo Moidam: India’s newest and 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Kaziranga National Park: Celebrating its golden jubilee as a National Park.
- Hathikuli Tea Estate: Known for its organic tea production.
- Orchid and Biodiversity Park: A treasure trove of local flora and fauna.
Ms. Sinha highlighted the Ministry’s dedication to sustainability in this year’s ITM, aligning with the "Travel for Life" initiative. The event will prioritize reducing environmental effects through energy-efficient methods and the elimination of single-use plastics. Transportation for participants will be managed through trustworthy shuttle services to reduce the carbon footprint further.
The ITM 2024 is balanced to coordinate tourism with nature while leaving a lasting, positive estate for the area and its communities.(PR)