The second International Tourism Mart (ITM) has concluded in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

The three-day event organised by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) from 18-20 October 2013, highlighted the tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets.
The event brought together tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from eight North Eastern States and West Bengal.

More than 55 foreign delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, USA and Vietnam participated at the ITM.

The event was inaugurated by Nabam Tuki, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. “North East is a ‘Paradise Unexplored’ which has a huge tourism potential that is yet to be tapped of its true potential. Referring to the top priority of promoting the tourism sector, the state has the potential to generate massive self employment avenues while enriching the state exchequer. This Himalayan state is a treasure trove of natural beauty inhabited by over 150 major and minor hospitable tribes with their rich cultural mosaic, art and crafts, tribal cuisines which offer huge scope for the growth of tourism.

Parvez Dewan, Union Tourism Secretary for India said, “The holding of the ITM in Tawang reflected the commitment of the government to promote tourism in North East India, and in Arunachal Pradesh and Tawang in particular. India records 105 crore domestic tourists and 65 lakh foreign tourists annually, yielding revenue of US$18 billion from foreigners which amounted to 6.5% of national GDP besides generating about 10% direct or indirect employment.