For several decades now, tourism has been a buzzword in discussions about Northeast India. It is regarded as a potential source of economic growth for the region. Tourism is one of the focus areas of the Government of India’s Act East Policy, renamed in 2014 from the Look East Policy, which was launched in 1991.
Given its geostrategic location, India’s Northeast region is at the core of the policy. The region is bounded by five countries: China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal. The northeastern states of India are the gateway to neighbouring countries and Southeast Asia. The policy is an initiative to forge stronger ties and influence in Southeast Asia.
Tourism is also aimed at bringing Northeast India into the spotlight. Tourism promotions and related activities have been taken up by state and Union governments in several different ways.
In line with the Act East Policy, the northeastern states have formulated their own tourism policies. Assam, as a regional hub, has a secretariat in Guwahati for the Act East Policy. The office was set up in 2017.
Northeastern states have been isolated and neglected. The region is not only underdeveloped, but conflicts and violence of various forms have also hindered the states from progressing socially and economically.
Nevertheless, the region is gifted with beautiful landscapes, biodiversity, and diverse people and cultures. In recent years, there has been an increase in the inflow of travellers and visitors to the northeastern states. Most tourist sites are wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
There are 65 official wildlife sanctuaries, of which 17 are in Assam. Additionally, 19 national parks are located in the region, alongside heritage sites and other local historical or cultural spots.
The NeDFi (Northeastern Development Finance Limited) data shows that in 2025, Assam welcomed 9,055,943 visitors, followed by Sikkim and Meghalaya, with 1,654,838 and 1,848,239, respectively, and Arunachal Pradesh with 913,383, Mizoram with 828,223, Nagaland with 127,428, Tripura with 681,103, and Manipur with 25,281.
Each year has recorded a rise in tourist footfall. States like Manipur saw a decline over the last three years due to the ongoing violent crisis.
This rise in the number of visitors and travellers to the region has been accelerated by social media. Young, enthusiastic adventurers create attractive reels showcasing the places and their people.
This has not only helped generate interest and curiosity but has also raised awareness of the region’s culture and lifestyle. Such activities have promoted the region as an attractive and interesting place for people to visit and experience.
Events and festivals are regularly held by state governments to attract tourists and investments. For instance, the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland has gained popularity over the years. Since its launch in 2000, the festival has attracted tourists from across the country and the globe.
In 2023, the Hornbill Festival welcomed 1.54 lakh visitors. It generated INR 17.11 lakh in direct revenue for the state exchequer. In 2024, the annual Hornbill Festival recorded an attendance of 205,968, with revenue of INR 189.71 crore generated. In 2025, it recorded 214,493 visitors. The revenue generated is yet to be assessed and estimated.
In the period 2022–2023, Mizoram generated revenue of Rs 300 lakh, while in 2023–2024, it generated Rs 379.53 lakh from tourism-related activity. With the first-ever train reaching Sairang, near Aizawl, in September 2025, there has been a surge in the number of visitors and tourists to Mizoram.
As per the state government report, a total of 215,946 ILPs (Inner Line Permits for non-local visitors) were issued between September 2025 and July 2026.
Revenue from events and festivals is a one-year affair. The population of Nagaland stood at 22.79 lakh in 2025. Mizoram’s population stood at 12.64 lakh. An income of Rs 189 crore for a population of more than 2 million, or an income of Rs 288 lakh for a population of more than a million in a year, is a small amount.
The main occupations in the northeastern states remain agriculture and related activities. Next to agriculture, the majority of the population in the region is employed in government service.
Except for Assam, which has a tea and oil industry, the other seven northeastern states have minimal industrial activity. At most, there is mining, a hydropower project, or a cement factory.
Though tourism has gained momentum, it is still on a limited scale. The region faces numerous challenges and constraints, with connectivity emerging as one of the most significant barriers. Some of the key issues travellers and tourists face when travelling to the region relate to transport.
The condition of roads is altogether another story. The northeastern state capitals have limited facilities in terms of good roads, hotels, and homestays; beyond these, rural areas are rugged and difficult to reach.
Travelling to the northeastern states is not easy. The region is cut off during the monsoon, with heavy rains, floods, and inundations.
All the tourist spots, which are largely wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, are closed to the public for at least four months out of the twelve months in a year. Moreover, travelling during the monsoon is not advisable. This means there are no visitors for half of the year.
Besides these practical difficulties, the financial cost is not small. One has to endure three days of train travel from major Indian cities; otherwise, the only option is air travel. Flights from Delhi to any northeastern state capital cost above Rs 5,000 one way.
Flights from other major metropolitan cities to the Northeast are even more expensive. Flying from cities like Bengaluru or Mumbai to northeastern state capitals costs more than Rs 10,000.
Once tourists reach the northeastern states, there is another challenge: travelling within and between the states. Besides the road conditions, taxi fares are sky-high. There is no alternative to private taxis. Though a few interstate buses operate, their numbers are minimal, especially in the hill areas.
Another major issue is accommodation. Few one- or two-star hotels are available in the state capitals. In other areas, there are none. One significant development is the rise of the homestay concept.
These are homely and affordable, especially for young travellers, and are safe for women travelling solo. This generates income for locals as well. However, one does not find a homestay everywhere one wishes to travel.
Apart from these drawbacks, food and dietary preferences remain a significant concern, particularly among domestic tourists travelling to the Northeast from other parts of India.
The northeastern states are predominantly non-vegetarian, with very few exceptions, while these tourists are often vegetarian. Therefore, there are reports of tourists finding it difficult to adjust to the food available at homestays.
For instance, homes in the Northeast still have Indian-style toilets. Alternatively, the vegetarian food available may not appeal to tourists because of differences in ingredients, cooking methods, and preparation styles.
As it stands, even though the northeastern states are promoted as tourist destinations, tourism does not seem practical in many ways. The revenue generated through tourism is minimal.
It is seasonal and unsustainable. A tourist requires at least Rs 30,000–40,000 to travel to the northeastern states. For a family, the budget would come to more than Rs 50,000–70,000.
It is hardly surprising that Indians opt to travel to Southeast Asian countries, which offer a wider range of choices within the same budget. These countries also have numerous well-developed tourist destinations compared with the Northeast region of India.
Added to these challenges is the fact that, although the Northeast has gradually transitioned towards a more peaceful environment, the region remains fragile, with the possibility of periodic disruptions continuing to affect tourism and travel.
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