Tag Archives: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Addressing the 13th International Tourism Mart virtually, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Minister, said the Northeast has undergone a major transformation with huge investments in airports, highways, railways and digital connectivity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Air traffic has surged from 9.8 million passengers in 2019 to 11.2 million in 2024, the highest ever for the region.

Addressing the 13th International Tourism Mart in Gangtok, Sikkim via a virtual message, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Minister, said that hotel infrastructure in the Northeast is expanding at record speed, with over 3,000 new branded hotel keys expected across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, and Nagaland by 2030, reflecting strong investor confidence in the region.

To showcase the tourism potential of the Northeast to the world, Sikkim is set to host the 13th International Tourism Mart (ITM) from November 13 to 16 at Gangtok. The event will be inaugurated by Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister, Sikkim, in the presence of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism & Culture and Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, along with Tourism Ministers from all North Eastern States and senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and State Governments. The annual flagship event aims to showcase the tourism potential of the North Eastern Region to domestic and international stakeholders. The Mart provides a platform to promote the Northeast’s rich natural beauty, vibrant cultural heritage, and adventure tourism opportunities while encouraging sustainable and inclusive growth in tourism. Aligned with the Ministry of Tourism’s “Travel for Life” initiative, the 13th ITM 2025 in Gangtok will highlight eco-tourism, wellness, culture, and adventure as its core themes, underscoring Sikkim’s role as a torchbearer for sustainable tourism practices in India. This year’s ITM will welcome representatives from 19 countries, including Spain, Thailand, France, Russia, Germany, and Vietnam. The event will feature 39 international tour operators, 5 international influencers, 50 domestic buyers, 20 domestic influencers, and 91 domestic sellers, fostering meaningful B2B interactions and global partnerships. A series of technical sessions, panel discussions, and product presentations will explore emerging opportunities in cinematic tourism, homestays, youth entrepreneurship, digital innovation, sustainability, and adventure tourism. The event aims to strengthen networks among domestic and international stakeholders, encouraging investment and cooperation in the Northeast’s tourism sector. It serves as a testament to the government’s commitment to transforming the Northeast into a global tourism hub.

Udaipur will host a two-day national tourism conference, bringing together Tourism Ministers and officials from all States and Union Territories. Scheduled for 15–16 October and chaired by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, GoI, the event will focus on shaping India’s tourism policies and roadmap. Key discussions will include sustainable and digital tourism, alongside presentations on ongoing schemes from various state tourism departments. The conference aims to create a collaborative framework for enhancing India’s tourism ecosystem.

The 55ᵗʰ FHRAI Annual Convention has kicked off in Bengaluru with Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, GoI, projecting India as a $30 trillion economy by 2047. Highlighting hospitality’s rising demand, he noted industry status for 50 iconic destinations and said 18 states had extended this recognition. He stressed investments today will power tourism and hospitality growth tomorrow.