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The Ministry of Tourism promotes tourism in the North Eastern Region (NER) through a range of initiatives. The Ministry organises the International Tourism Mart on a rotational basis in the North Eastern States to showcase tourism products and destinations to domestic and international buyers, media and influencers. Thirteen editions of the Mart have been held so far, with the last (13th) edition conducted in Sikkim in November 2025. The Ministry also provides Central Financial Assistance to the North Eastern states for organising tourism-related events and festivals. It regularly conducts familiarization trips for tour operators, opinion makers and influencers, and promotes the region through its website and social media platforms. Further, complimentary space is provided to North Eastern States in the India Pavilion during international tourism fairs and exhibitions. The Ministry also has field offices at Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal and Naharlagun, which undertake promotional activities throughout the year. The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments in the North Eastern Region (NER) under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASHAD, Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) and Assistance to Central Agencies for development of tourism infrastructure with modern amenities. Cleanliness is given due emphasis under these schemes, including components relating to upkeep and maintenance of tourist destinations. Further, seamless connectivity is being enhanced in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation through Viability Gap Funding under the Champion Service Sector Scheme, including regional air connectivity routes in the NER.  Safety and security of tourists is primarily a state subject. However, the Ministry regularly takes up the matter with State Governments/UT Administrations to strengthen on-ground safety mechanisms, including deployment of Tourism Police. A 24×7 Multilingual Tourist Helpline (1363/1800111363) has also been operationalised to assist domestic and foreign tourists.

The Union Budget 2026 announced pilot scheme for Upskilling 10000 guides in 20 iconic tourist sites across India, through 12 weeks structured academic and field training program aligned with National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) & National Credit Framework (NCrF) in terms of quality, outcome and certification. This upskilling of tourist guides is to develop professionally trained, knowledgeable, responsible Guides in the country. This programme is in collaboration with different stakeholders like Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, Indian Institute of Management, Archeological Survey of India, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and other stakeholders. The training is conducted in financial year 2026-27. The Chalo India initiative was launched by the Ministry of Tourism for members of the Indian Diaspora to become Incredible India Ambassadors by encouraging their non-Indian friends to visit India, every year. The objective of this initiative is to increase India’s share in the global tourism market, to promote the tourist destinations and tourism products of the country. The Ministry of Tourism undertakes tourism promotional activities in potential source markets overseas, in association with the Indian Missions overseas, Travel Trade industry and the State Governments/UT Administrations, to enhance tourist footfall to the country. The Union Budget 2026 announced to set up a National Institute of Hospitality (NIH) by upgrading the existing National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) to align academia, industry and Government as per the current demand of Hospitality industry. The updation of the curriculum of NCHMCT is an evolving process to keep the courses & curriculum relevant with the ever-evolving global trends and hospitality industry. The Ministry of Tourism launched ‘Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024’ to understand the pulse of ‘Bharat ki Janta’, on 7th March 2024 in Srinagar, the first-ever nation-wide IP (Intellectual Property). The aim of this nation-wide poll was to engage with citizen to identify most preferred tourist attractions and understand tourist perceptions across 5 tourism categories – Spiritual, Cultural & Heritage, Nature & Wildlife, Adventure and others. The Ministry of Tourism also rolled out the Dekho Apna Desh (DAD) Hand Written Brochure Contest for students from Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) and Navodaya Vidyalaya (NV) to make students become aware of the tourism attractions present in their District. The students were encouraged to visit the ASI monuments and other destinations in and round their school. The following activity were undertaken during this initiative: The Ministry of Tourism organised the Tourism Education Expo 2026 in around 10 states with the objective to create awareness among school students & their parents about career opportunities in Hospitality and Tourism. The career counselling sessions, interaction with key personalities of Tourism & Hospitality, Campus tour of institutes etc. were undertaken to promote the premier institutions of Tourism and Hospitality education under Ministry of Tourism. Preparation of hand written promotional brochure of 2 to 4 pages for the DAD school contest. Around 2000 hand written brochures were prepared by the students. The winner schools and students were felicitated in the Winner’s ceremony organised in various states from February 2026 onwards. On the spot competitions like drawing of favorite monument, Fireless cooking, quiz competition on tourism etc. were also held. The Tourism Education Expo as well as Dekho Apna Desh hand written brochure making competition encouraged students towards tourism education. This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today

Southeast Asia, with its significant Buddhist population, constitutes an important source market for the Buddhist Circuit in India. To promote the Buddhist heritage along with other destinations and products the Ministry carries out various promotional activities in association with Indian Missions abroad, State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and the travel trade sector. These include organisation of tourism roadshows, participation in international travel trade exhibitions, fairs and events; conduct of familiarization (FAM) tours for foreign tour operators, media and influencers; engagement with local tour operators and other stakeholders; and promotion through digital and social media platforms. For development of tourism infrastructure at tourist sites, including the Buddhist Circuit, the Ministry of Tourism implements projects under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) and Assistance to Central Agencies. The details of projects sanctioned under these schemes at Buddhist sites, with particular reference to Bihar and adjoining regions, are placed at Annexure. In addition, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) offers specialised pilgrimage tour packages connecting major Buddhist destinations through the Mahaparinirvan Express train. The Ministry also engages with tour operators and other stakeholders, who in turn promote tour packages to Buddhist circuits, including in South East Asian market. To enhance visitor experience at tourist sites in the country including the Buddhist sites the Ministry has instituted the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Programme to create a pool of well-trained and professional tourist facilitators/guides, including those trained in foreign languages. The programme also includes advanced and refresher courses aimed at improving communication, service quality and cultural sensitivity. ANNEXURE Details of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan (SD) 2.0, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) schemes at Buddhist sites in Bihar and adjoining areas S. No. State/ UT Scheme Sanction Year Name of the Project Amount Sanctioned (in ₹ Crore) Andhra Pradesh   SD 2017-18 Development of Buddhist Circuit: Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda -Amravati- Anupu 35.24 Andhra Pradesh CBDD 2024-25 Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar at Nagarjuna Sagar 25.00 Bihar   SD 2016-17 Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya 95.18 Bihar SD 2.0 2024-25 Buddhist Meditation & Experience Centre in Bodhgaya 165.44 Gujarat   SD 2017-18 Development of Junagadh- Gir Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana 26.68 Madhya Pradesh SD 2016-17   Development of Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar 74.02 Uttar Pradesh SD 2016-17 Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, &Kapilwastu 87.89 Uttar Pradesh SASCI 2024-25 Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti 80.24 Telangana CBDD 2024-25 Buddhavanam – Development of Digital Experience Centre 24.85 This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

The list for State-wise number of Adventure Tourism Operators recognized under Ministry of Tourism is placed at Annexure. Ministry of Tourism does not maintain data on approved Adventure Tourism Destinations. The development and promotion of tourism, including adventure tourism, enhancing safety and convenience at adventure tourism sites is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.Ministry of Tourism does not maintain data on accidents caused while participating in adventure tourism and it has no separate fund for promotion of Adventure Tourism. The Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India has formulated Adventure Safety Guidelines with an aim to establish a comprehensive and standardized framework to ensure safety in the Adventure Tourism sector across India. These guidelines have been circulated to all States and Union Territories for adoption and formulation/updation of safety protocols. All the States / Union Territories have been requested to maintain a strict watch on all adventure related activities and ensure strict adherence to safety regulations and licensing norms by all the operators. ANNEXURE The list for State-wise number of Adventure Tourism Operators recognized under Ministry of Tourism Sr. No. State Number of Adventure Tourism Operators 1. Andhra Pradesh 01 2. Bihar 01 3. Delhi 21 4. Gujarat 02 5. Haryana 06 6. Himachal Pradesh 01 7. Jammu And Kashmir 02 8. Jharkhand 01 9. Karnataka 04 10. Kerala 02 11. Madhya Pradesh 02 12. Maharashtra 04 13. Punjab 01 14. Sikkim 01 15. Tamil Nadu 02 16. Telangana 03 17. Uttar Pradesh 04 18. Uttarakhand 03 19. West Bengal 16 Total 77 This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

Hotel Association of India issues statement on the increase in ATF Prices Attributed to KB Kachru, President, Hotel Association of India (HAI) and Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group The Hotel Association of India (HAI) extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation for their thoughtful and timely intervention in limiting the impact of the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price increase on domestic airlines to just 25%. As highlighted in the recent government briefing, this calibrated measure comes at a critical time when global uncertainties, particularly in West Asia, have led to quite significant volatility in energy prices. With capping the rise in ATF costs, the Government has ensured that air travel remains affordable and accessible. This prevents a potential surge in travel costs which could have adversely impacted passenger demand and sectoral recovery. This proactive step will go a long way in uplifting confidence across the tourism, travel and hospitality ecosystem. The move not only supports the aviation sector but will also have a cascading positive impact on tourism and the broader economy. HAI also acknowledges the Government’s continued efforts to ensure fuel availability and stability, including maintaining domestic LPG prices and prioritising supply for key sectors such as hospitality. These measures provide much-needed operational relief to the hotel and tourism industry during these challenging times. We are also grateful to the Hon’ble Minister (Tourism) for their continued engagement with the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Ministry of Civil Aviation on issues concerning the tourism and hospitality industry. Additionally, we also extend our gratitude to the Government of India for looking into crucial matters like LPG supply for the hotel sector. The industry looks forward to the Government’s continued support and collaborative approach in navigating these uncertain times and strengthening India’s travel and hospitality landscape.