TAWANG, Jul 11: Tawang has begun preparations to host the 14th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) 2026, scheduled to be held in the last week of October. In this regard, a preliminary coordination meeting was held at the Tawang Circuit House on Saturday to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the successful conduct of the event.
The International Tourism Mart, a flagship tourism promotion event, will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Rinchin Leta, Deputy Director Generals of the Ministry of Tourism RK Suman and Bharati K Sharma, Assistant Director Amit Raj, Deputy Director of Tourism Bengia Manna Sonam, District Tourism Officer Tsering Deki, Tourism Information Officer Tenzin Tsamche, Assistant Protocol Officer Sange Tsering, Arunachal Pradesh Tour Operators Association general secretary Sangey Tsering, and representatives of Ashoka Events.
The officials reviewed preparations relating to accommodation, transportation, security, venue readiness, hospitality, event management and the overall programme schedule. Emphasis was laid on close coordination among all stakeholders to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
A team from the Ministry of Tourism and the State Tourism Department also carried out a detailed inspection of the Guwahati-Tawang route and visited major venues, including Vivanta Tawang, Kalawangpo Convention Hall, PTSO and other facilities, to assess infrastructure and logistical arrangements.
The event marks the return of the International Tourism Mart to Tawang after more than a decade, the district having last hosted it in 2013.
Officials said the event would serve as a major platform to promote Tawang's tourism potential by showcasing its Himalayan landscape, Buddhist heritage, Monpa culture, adventure tourism opportunities and eco-tourism attractions to national and international stakeholders.
The mart is expected to attract government officials, tour operators, investors, travel trade representatives, media personnel and delegates from across India and abroad, opening new avenues for tourism promotion, investment and sustainable economic development in Arunachal Pradesh. (DIPRO)