Ministry of Tourism Concludes the 13th (ITM) 2025

Ministry of Tourism//Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav//Posted on: 16th  November 2025 at 9:30 PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Tourism // Amrit Mahotsav of Independence 

13th International Tourism Mart (ITM) 2025-A Great Bazar Too

ITM was organized by the Ministry of Tourism in Gangtok

Sikkim is a state of extraordinary beauty. Its people, natural sites, and landscapes are truly memorable. A special event held in such an environment makes it even more memorable. The 13th International Tourism Mart (ITM) 2025, organized by the Ministry of Tourism in Gangtok, concluded today, showcasing the rich tourism potential of the Northeast region. This event has left many fond memories.

The Ministry of Tourism successfully organised the 13th International Tourism Mart (ITM) 2025 from 13th to 16th November 2025 in Gangtok, Sikkim, with the objective of showcasing the rich and diverse tourism potential of the North Eastern States and promoting sustainable, responsible, and inclusive tourism development across the region.

The four-day Mart brought together a distinguished gathering of domestic and international tourism stakeholders, including tour operators, travel writers, influencers, industry experts, State Tourism officials, and representatives from Central Ministries. The event served as a dynamic platform for strengthening partnerships, exploring new collaborations, and highlighting the unique natural, cultural, and adventure offerings of the Northeast.

The 13th edition of ITM featured a comprehensive programme comprising:

• B2B meetings facilitating business opportunities between buyers and sellers
• State presentations showcasing tourism strengths, flagship projects, and investment avenues
• Cultural showcases reflecting the artistic, tribal, and folk traditions of the Northeast
• Immersive experiences and technical sessions on responsible tourism, hospitality, adventure tourism, and emerging travel trends

By bringing together tourism stakeholders from India and abroad, ITM 2025 reaffirmed the Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to positioning the North Eastern Region as a unified, vibrant, and high-value tourism destination—in alignment with the vision of Dekho Apna Desh and Incredible India.

The Government of Sikkim extended full cooperation in hosting the Mart, which also provided delegates with an opportunity to experience the State’s natural beauty, sustainable practices, and community-based tourism models.

 The successful conclusion of ITM 2025 marks another significant step in enhancing the visibility of the North Eastern States and strengthening the region’s tourism ecosystem through innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth.

****//Sunil Kumar Tiwari//tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com//(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2191108) 

प्रविष्टि तिथि: 16 NOV 2025 at 9:30 PM by PIB Delhi

                                                        ****

International Tourism Mart 13–16 November

प्रविष्टि तिथि: 12 NOV 2025 at 11:20 AM by PIB Gangtok

Sikkim to Host 13th International Tourism Mart (ITM)

New Delhi: 12th November 2025: (PIB Gangtok//The Tours and Travels Screen Desk)::

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is organizing the 13th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) for the North Eastern Region from 13th to 16th November 2025 at Gangtok, Sikkim. The Mart will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in the august presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri. Prem Singh Tamang, and the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Shri. Pema Khandu, along with Tourism Ministers of the North Eastern States and senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and State Governments.

The International Tourism Mart is an annual flagship event of the Ministry of Tourism, designed to showcase the tourism potential of the North Eastern Region — the “Ashta Lakshmi” of India — to both domestic and international audiences. The Mart seeks to highlight the region’s rich natural beauty, cultural diversity, and adventure tourism opportunities, while promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism development. The 13th edition being held in Gangtok reaffirms the Ministry’s commitment to positioning the North East as a preferred destination for eco-tourism, wellness, culture, and adventure.

Hosting the event in Gangtok holds special significance. Sikkim has earned national and international acclaim as a model of sustainable and responsible tourism. With its pristine landscapes, organic farming practices, spiritual heritage, and vibrant local culture, Sikkim represents the ideals of community-led and environmentally conscious tourism that the Ministry seeks to promote across the country. The Mart is being organized in alignment with the Ministry’s Travel for Life initiative.

The 13th International Tourism Mart will witness wide participation from across the globe, with representatives from approximately 19 countries, including Spain, Thailand, France, Russia, Germany, Vietnam and others. The event will bring together 39 international tour operators, 5 international influencers, 50 domestic buyers, 20 domestic influencers and Travel media, and 91 domestic sellers. The Mart will feature a series of technical sessions, panel discussions, product presentations, and B2B meetings aimed at fostering collaboration between domestic and international tourism stakeholders. Discussions with State Tourism Officials will focus on cinematic tourism, homestays, youth entrepreneurship, digital innovation, sustainability, and adventure tourism.

The event will also include cultural showcases reflecting the rich artistic and performing traditions of the North East, along with technical visits to major sites in and around Gangtok such as the Rumtek Monastery, Do Drul Chorten, and Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. Product presentations will highlight the region’s potential in diverse segments such as wildlife and river cruise tourism, festivals and celebrations, heritage and crafts, culinary traditions, and adventure experiences. Post-event familiarization tours will be organized for international and domestic participants to various destinations across the North Eastern States to provide first-hand experience of the region’s cultural and natural wealth.

The 13th International Tourism Mart at Gangtok thus represents not only a celebration of the Northeast’s extraordinary natural beauty and cultural diversity but also a reaffirmation of the Government’s vision to transform the region into a global tourism hub. With its serene landscapes, vibrant communities, and exemplary commitment to sustainability, Sikkim provides the perfect backdrop for this landmark event, symbolizing the spirit of unity in diversity and the promise of responsible tourism-driven development.

*******//MPS//(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2189088)**********

State Tourism Ministers Meet at Udaipur, Rajasthan

Ministry of Tourism//Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav//Posted on: 14 October 2025 at 12:50 PM by PIB Delhi

The Meet Regarding New Initiatives at Udaipur, Rajasthan

New Delhi: 14th October 2025: (PIB Delhi//The Tours and Travels Screen Desk)::

The Ministry of Tourism convened a two-day State Tourism Ministers Meet on 14–15 October 2025 in Udaipur, Rajasthan, bringing together Tourism Ministers and senior officials from all States and Union Territories.

 This meeting served as a key milestone in advancing the Prime Minister’s vision of “One State: One Global Destination” — a call to develop at least one globally benchmarked tourist destination in every State and UT. The initiative reflected the Union Budget 2025–26 announcements, which outlined a twin strategy for Destination Development and Destination Management as part of India’s tourism transformation agenda and the Viksit Bharat roadmap.

The meeting focused on continuing the ongoing stakeholders’ consultations, where State/UT Tourism Ministers presented their vision on the draft frameworks for 'Development of 50 Destinations' and 'Providing Performance Linked Incentives' — the two key pillars of India’s tourism transformation agenda, emphasizing Private Sector–led Tourism Hub Development and Destination Management via a PLI-based Destination Maturity Model.

 The meet commenced with opening remarks by Secretary (Tourism), Ms. V. Vidyavathi, followed by an address by Union Minister of Tourism & Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat who set the context for the two-day discussion. The event underscored the importance of collaborative action between the Centre, States/UTs, and industry stakeholders to realise the vision of developing destinations of global standards.

 

 Over the course of two days, Tourism Ministers and officials from across regions will present destination concepts aligned with the budget initiatives. Each State/UT will showcase one potential destination for development as a global destination and shared their vision.

 

The second day will feature a focused consultation on the draft Integrated Tourism Promotion Scheme Guidelines, aimed at positioning India as a holistic tourism destination in both domestic and international markets.

Through this conference, the Ministry aims to foster greater policy convergence in implementing the tourism transformation agenda, ensuring that every region contributes to building a globally competitive and sustainable tourism ecosystem for a Viksit Bharat.

****Sunil Kumar Tiwari//tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com//(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2178797)****

 

Ministry of Tourism organizes “World Food India

Ministry of Tourism//Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav//Posted on 25 September 2025 at 6:08 PM by PIB Delhi

4th Edition of “World Food India – Reviving the Culinary Treasures of India”

New Delhi: 25th September 2025: (PIB Delhi//The Tours and Travels Screen Desk)::

The Ministry of Tourism is organizing a special culinary event titled “World Food India – Reviving the Culinary Treasures of India” from 25th to 28th September 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, during the 4th edition of World Food India.

The four-day event is aimed at showcasing India’s rich culinary heritage and positioning Indian cuisine on the global stage. The initiative focuses on reviving forgotten food traditions, highlighting ancient cooking techniques, and exploring the export potential of indigenous ingredients. India Food Tourism Organisation (IFTO) is the knowledge partner for the event.

Shri Suman Billa, Director General & Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism inaugurated the event today. In his address, he highlighted the richness and diversity of Indian cuisine and stressed on the need for adopting innovative approaches to promote Indian gastronomy internationally. He also emphasised the importance of modern food techniques to make Indian cuisine more accessible to the world.

The inaugural session was followed by a panel discussion on “Reviving Treasure Foods of Indian Cooking & How That Can Change the World” moderated by Shri K. K. Pant, Principal, IHM Pusa. The panel comprised leading experts including Shri Vikram Mittal, Chef Vicky Ratnani, Dr. Chef Saurabh Sharma, Chef Vineet Manocha and Shri Amit Lohani. The discussion focused on traditional cooking methods such as slow cooking, fermentation and sun-drying, as well as the use of indigenous ingredients like millets, tribal grains and wild greens, underlining their potential in addressing global challenges of malnutrition, food insecurity and climate change.

The forthcoming sessions will include panel discussions, interactive masterclasses and authentic food sampling sessions with the participation of renowned chefs, food historians, culinary experts and industry leaders. Themes will include revival of GI-tagged ingredients, Ayurveda-based food traditions, millet innovations and indigenous food-based sustainability practices as per the following schedule:

• 26 September 2025: Panel discussion on “Rethinking Roots: The Rise of India’s Forgotten Food Culture” moderated by Dr. Chef Rajeev Goyal, featuring Chef Manjeet Gill, Ms. Marryam H. Reshii, Ms. Rushina M. Ghildayal, Ms. Yogita Uchil and others. The session will focus on the revival of GI-tagged ingredients and heirloom grains, with masterclasses by Dr. Chef Saurabh Sharma and Chef Gautam Chaudhary showcasing their export potential for global markets.

• 27 September 2025: Panel discussion on “What the World Can Learn from Indian Gastronomy” moderated by food blogger Shri Gurpreet Singh Tikku, with Padmashree Prof. Pushpesh Pant, Chef Vikas Chawla (Ambassador of Millets), Chef Sadaf Hussain and others. The session will highlight Ayurveda’s healing principles, balanced thali traditions, spice layering and zero-waste cooking, along with live demonstrations of millet-based innovations. It will position millets as climate-resilient “Smart Food of the Future” and showcase sustainable plant-based protein alternatives. The session is followed by masterclasses by Chef Vikas Chawla and Chef Sadaf Hussain, highlighting the nutritional richness and sustainability of Indian cuisine. 

• 28 September 2025: Panel discussion on “India’s Traditional Innovation in Food with Indigenous Ingredients” moderated by Dr. Chef Rajeev Goyal, featuring Dr. Kurush F. Dalal (Archaeologist & Culinary Anthropologist), Ms. Pritha Sen and others. The session will highlight India’s centuries of culinary genius rooted in sustainability, with demonstrations on millet as a calcium and iron-rich superfood, showcasing its global export potential and plant-based protein applications. The session is followed by masterclasses by Chef Sanjay Agarwal and Chef Nishant Choubey, highlighting how Indian ingredients can be reimagined for global palates, creating opportunities for food tourism and promoting sustainable diets.

This initiative seeks to position and promote India as a leading destination for food tourism.

****Sunil Kumar Tiwari//tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com//(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2171304)***

Tourist Safety in High-Risk Destinations

Ministry of Tourism//Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav//Posted On 21st August 2025 at 4:20 PM by PIB Delhi

Safety and Security of tourists is essentially a State Government subject

This Image of Brown Concrete Bridge on Brown Mountain taken at Tepotzotlán, Mexico by Tepotzotlán, Mexico. It was Clicked on Feb 14, 2020

New Delhi: 21st August 2025: (PIB Delhi//The Tours and Travels Screen Desk)::

Safety and Security of tourists is essentially a State Government subject. However, the Ministry of Tourism has been continuously taking up the matter with all the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations for setting up of dedicated Tourism Police to strengthen on-ground safety mechanism for tourists. With the efforts of Ministry of Tourism, the State Governments /UT Administrations of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh have deployed tourist police, in one form or the other.

Clicked By Abdul Kayum On 25th Nov 2023 atNohkalikai Falls View point, Nohkalikai Road, Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, India 

As a part of the Ministry’s continuous endeavors to make travel for tourists safe and secure, the Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic), Hindi and English for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in term of information relating to Travel in India and to offer appropriate guidance to tourists in distress, while travelling within India.

The Government has set up a dedicated non-lapsable corpus fund-Nirbhaya Fund, being administered by Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, which can be utilized for projects specifically designed to improve the safety and security of women.

Ministry of Tourism has been periodically requesting all State Governments and Union Territories for availing the benefits of the ‘Safe Tourism Destinations for Women’ under Nirbhaya fund which can be utilized for projects specifically designed to improve the safety and security of women tourists.

Ministry of Tourism sanctioned a total of Rs.16.79 crore (approx.) to Madhya Pradesh Tourism under the “Safe Tourism Destination for Women” Scheme.

This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

****

Sunil Kumar Tiwari//tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com//(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2159108) 

Photo 1: This Image of Brown Concrete Bridge on Brown Mountain taken at Tepotzotlán, Mexico by Tepotzotlán, Mexico. It was Clicked on Feb 14, 2020

Photo 2nd Clicked By Abdul Kayum On 25th Nov 2023 atNohkalikai Falls View point, Nohkalikai Road, Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, India 

Press tour to Mumbai enters second day

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting//Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsavg20-India-202//Posted On: 02 October 2024 at 8:36 PM by PIB Kohima

Media persons visited many special places 

Kohima: 02 October 2024: (PIB Kohima//Tours and Travels Screen Desk)::

Mediapersons from Nagaland who are on a Press Tour to Mumbai, Maharashtra being sponsored by Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kohima were given a warm traditional welcome at the Mumbai airport by officials of PIB Mumbai last evening. All the 13 team members were adorned with the “Kheda”, a traditional headgear of Maharashtra upon arrival at the Chatrapati Shivaji Airport last evening.

On the second day of the press tour, coinciding with the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October), the team was taken to Mani Bhawan Gandhi Sangrahlaya, the residence of Mahatma Gandhi’s friend located at Laburnum Road from where Gandhi took important decisions with regard to the Indian Independence Movement including the Quit India Movement.

It is also said Gandhiji started his Khadi movement from this place and it houses important photographs of Gandhiji and the Indian freedom Movement, khadi products and khadi production tools and equipments.

The team also visited August Kranti Marg, Tejpal Auditorium, Mumbai University, Bombay High Court, Nariman Point, Gateway of India, Horniman Circle, Asiatic Library, St, Thomas Cathedral and the famous residence of Mukesh Ambani – Antilla.

In the afternoon, the team’s dinner was arranged at Punjab Grill Restaurant at Kala Ghoda where Dada Saheb Ambedkar was said to have sat and written the Indian Constitution there.

Later in the evening, the team was taken to the famous Wankhede cricket stadium at Churchgate which is owned and operated by the Mumbai Cricket Association and also had a glimpse of the set-ups inside the stadium.

***//SKS/RK//(Release ID: 2061266)

Many travel services make your tourism easy

 Get the tourism information here for the purpose 

Chandigarh: 11th September 2024: (Karthika Kalyani Singh//The Tours and Travels Screen)::

If you want to go on tourism, it is necessary to have as much information as possible about the desired tourist destination. Now this is not possible in every case, so it is better to take the facility of some travel service which eases the possible difficulties in tourism. Nowadays, while personal guides are also available for this purpose, some organized companies are also ready to help for this work by charging some fee.

In our beloved country India too, many types of travel services are available to meet the various needs and preferences of tourists. Often their branch offices or representatives are also active in almost all major places. Some of the travel services available for tourism in this area are as follows, which are operated from individual level to organized level.

Tour operators are also important among those who provide such service/facility. There are many tour operators in India and abroad who offer various types of tour packages according to different interests, budget and duration. These operators also organize tours from sightseeing to adventure trips, cultural tours and many more. They plan and budget for pilgrimages, from group teams and groups to individuals.

Transport services come first in this regard. India has a well-developed transport network including domestic flights, trains, buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. Tourists can easily avail these services to travel between desired cities, towns and tourist destinations.

Accommodation comes to mind immediately after reaching the desired destination. Of course, it feels good if the atmosphere is homely, even if it is for a short time, and there is no feeling of alienation. For this purpose, from luxury hotels and resorts to budget guesthouses and homestays are available. Our beloved country India also has a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget and choice. Online booking platforms and travel agencies can also help tourists find suitable accommodation. Yes, the authenticity of these agencies and budget planning should be checked beforehand with utmost caution.

Guided tours are often a very good option when it comes to tourism. Guided tours with experienced local guides are available at popular tourist attractions, historical sites and cultural sites across India. These tours provide valuable information about the history, culture and significance of the places visited. The tourist also gets a lot of benefits from this.

Even in today's busy times, adventure tourism services are quite popular. Their charm is still intact. It is worth noting that India is considered a paradise for adventure enthusiasts. Activities like trekking, mountaineering, river rafting, paragliding, wildlife safaris and more are available here. Adventure tourism operators and specialized agencies organize these activities with safety measures.

Along with this, cultural experiences are still considered important. Many travel services in India focus on providing authentic cultural experiences, such as attending traditional festivals, visiting rural villages, attending cooking classes and learning traditional arts and crafts.

Pilgrimages continue to be important. India has many religious sites and pilgrimage sites that are sacred to various religions. Pilgrimage packages are designed with the religious traveler in mind and include visits to temples, mosques, churches and other sacred places.

Special interest tourism also continues to attract people. Travelers with specific interests such as yoga and health, photography, bird watching or culinary tourism can find special tour packages and services according to their preferences. Many times there is also economic benefit in this, as people can also sell their own goods and services at such events.

In today's expensive and busy times, customized itineraries are becoming very popular. Many travel agencies and tour operators provide the facility to customize the itinerary according to the preferences of tourists, allowing them to gain new experiences and create new records of personalized travel based on their interest, budget and schedule.

Online travel portals, which are very popular these days, make such travel extremely easy. Now in the digital age, various online travel portals and booking platforms facilitate planning and booking of travel services in India, including flights, accommodation, tours, and transportation, making it convenient for tourists to organize their trips.

Overall, the tourism industry in India is well-developed and offers a wide range of travel services to ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience for tourists visiting the country.

Read in Hindi also with इर्द-गिर्द