Guwahati: After decades of remaining on the margins of India’s tourism map, Northeast India is now being hailed as the country’s next big travel frontier. A new whitepaper by real estate consultancy HVS–ANAROCK, titled “Northeast India: A Hidden Gem for Tourism Potential,” paints a vivid picture of a region brimming with opportunity — a landscape of pristine mountains, tea valleys, ancient traditions, and vibrant communities that could redefine the future of sustainable travel in India.
According to the report, the eight Northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—together accounted for just 0.43% of domestic and 1.17% of foreign tourist visits in 2024, underscoring how underexplored the region remains. Yet, momentum is building: air traffic has surged to an all-time high of 11.2 million passengers in 2024, projected to nearly double to 20.5 million by 2030.
“The Northeast stands at the cusp of a tourism transformation. With breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and strategic location, the region holds immense promise. Yet, this promise remains underutilized, constrained by fragmented planning, limited visibility, and persistent infrastructural gaps,” the report notes.
Untapped Potential Amid Modest Contribution
Despite its immense resources, natural wealth, and strategic position bordering five countries, Northeast India currently contributes just 2–3% to India’s GDP.
“This is not due to a lack of potential,” the report clarifies, “but rather a reflection of long-standing challenges — infrastructure gaps, low industrial base, and policy fragmentation.” Yet, state-level indicators show clear signs of dynamism: Assam’s economy, for instance, grew 11.5% in 2024–25, while Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh recorded strong growth in eco-tourism and hydropower-driven sectors.
Connectivity Revolution: From Isolation to Integration
The report attributes much of the region’s tourism revival to unprecedented infrastructure investments that have bridged decades of isolation. The number of operational airports has more than doubled—from nine in 2013 to 19 in 2024, under initiatives such as UDAN and Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
Major projects, including the Akhaura–Agartala rail link, new ferry terminals along the Brahmaputra, and multi-modal transport corridors, have transformed travel possibilities. The expansion of Donyi Polo Airport in Arunachal Pradesh, upcoming heliports, and seaplane services on the Brahmaputra are redefining accessibility to remote destinations.
Such connectivity, the report says, is catalyzing growth across the hospitality sector. Branded hotel supply in the region—currently just 1.7% of India’s total inventory—is expected to double by 2030, with over 3,000 new keys planned, led by Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.
Policies That Aim for Inclusion and Sustainability
Every Northeastern state has, in recent years, launched a progressive tourism policy built on the principles of sustainability, community participation, and inclusivity.
Arunachal Pradesh’s Tourism Policy 2025–30, themed “Beyond Myths and Mountains,” envisions the state as a global hub for adventure, wellness, and tribal tourism.
Assam’s Tourism Policy 2022, under the “Awesome Assam” brand, offers capital subsidies, single-window clearances, and incentives for eco, river, and tea tourism.
Meghalaya’s 2023 Tourism Policy and Film Tourism Policy 2025 focus on high-value, low-impact tourism and film-based promotion.
Sikkim’s 2018 policy, aligned with its fully organic model, prioritizes eco-friendly, low-footprint travel.
Yet, the report cautions that policy implementation remains uneven. “Many initiatives—such as single-window clearance and eco-tourism incentives—are underutilized or poorly communicated to local stakeholders,” it says.
Fragmented Marketing, Weak Coordination
Despite the region’s cultural and ecological diversity, its collective tourism brand remains muted.
“The eight states of Northeast India often operate in silos,” the report observes. “While each has its own tourism policy, there is limited collaboration on cross-state circuits, joint marketing, or shared best practices.”
The whitepaper proposes relaunching the “Northeast India – Unexplored Paradise” campaign under a refreshed, cohesive narrative highlighting adventure, wellness, spirituality, and cultural richness.
Strategic partnerships with global travel platforms (Airbnb, Booking.com, MakeMyTrip) and celebrity influencers could amplify digital visibility, the report suggests. Assam’s recent inclusion in The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2025” is cited as a springboard for global recognition.
Balancing Growth and Ecology
Northeast India’s biodiversity and cultural heritage, while its greatest assets, are also its most vulnerable. Popular destinations such as Kaziranga, Cherrapunji, and Tsomgo Lake face seasonal visitor surges that strain infrastructure and threaten fragile ecosystems.
“The absence of sustainability guidelines, waste management systems, and regular environmental impact assessments has led to localized degradation,” the report warns.
It recommends eco-sensitive zoning, visitor caps, and community-based tourism models to balance growth with preservation.
Bridging Policy and Private Investment
Despite incentives across state policies, private investment in tourism remains limited due to regulatory complexities and fragmented frameworks.
The report calls for a harmonized tourism investment framework across all eight states—complete with single-window clearance, pre-approved tourism zones, and transparent approval timelines. Such uniformity, it argues, would reduce procedural hurdles, attract investors, and accelerate development of Special Tourism Zones and cross-border circuits.
Learning from India’s Tourism Champions
Drawing lessons from Gujarat, Kerala, and Rajasthan, the report highlights how visionary branding and consistent governance can transform regional economies.
Gujarat’s “Khushboo Gujarat Ki” campaign, Kerala’s “God’s Own Country” identity, and Rajasthan’s adaptive reuse of heritage forts illustrate how branding, community engagement, and infrastructure investment can create resilient tourism ecosystems.
“Northeast India’s goal is not to replicate these models,” the authors write, “but to adapt their best practices—aligning them with the region’s unique geography, ecology, and cultural rhythm—to create a tourism narrative that is distinctly its own.”
Turning Vision into Action
The HVS–ANAROCK report concludes with a clear roadmap:
“Bold reforms, collaborative leadership, and a unified branding strategy can unlock the region’s full potential. Northeast India has the opportunity to become a model for sustainable, inclusive tourism—one that respects local cultures, preserves fragile ecosystems, and delivers authentic experiences to travelers.”
As India prepares to enter its next phase of growth in travel and hospitality, the message from the Northeast is clear: the time to act is now. With the right intent, partnerships, and investment, the region could evolve from an underexplored frontier into one of the most compelling tourism destinations in Asia, and a global example of how tourism can drive equitable, sustainable development.
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