Sikkim has been chosen to host the 13th International Tourism Mart 2025, a major event set to strengthen eco-friendly and community-driven tourism across India’s North East. The four-day event, scheduled in Gangtok from 13 to 16 November 2025, is being organised by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Government of Sikkim.
The Sikkim international tourism mart will highlight adventure travel, wellness retreats and sustainable community experiences. Moreover, it aims to connect local entrepreneurs with global travel operators to boost responsible tourism initiatives.
Why the Sikkim International Tourism Mart 2025 Matters for the North East
By hosting the Sikkim international tourism mart, Sikkim positions itself as a model for sustainable tourism. The state has long embraced organic farming, community-based homestays and eco-friendly travel practices. This edition of ITM emphasises not just tourism growth—but responsible growth.
Sikkim’s reputation as a “green destination” adds weight to the event’s focus on adventure travel, culture, wellness and digital innovation. Delegates will visit iconic sites like the Rumtek Monastery, Do Drul Chorten and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology — underscoring the blend of nature and culture that North East India offers.
What to Expect at the Event: Themes and Participation
The Sikkim international tourism mart will feature:
- B2B meetings, panel discussions and product-presentations focusing on youth entrepreneurship, cinematic tourism, digital tools in travel and sustainability.
- International participation from countries including Spain, Thailand, France, Russia, Germany and Vietnam, with around 39 international tour operators, 50 domestic buyers and 91 domestic sellers.
- Community-led tourism showcases featuring local homestays, traditional crafts and eco-adventures that local residents manage—giving travellers authentic experiences and ensuring local benefit.
These are timely in the context of the North East’s push to diversify tourism beyond mass beach or city travel—moving into nature-driven, culture-rich and sustainable models.
Benefits for Local Communities and Adventure Tourism
For Sikkim and neighbouring states, the mart presents dual opportunities. First, it brings global travel players and media spotlight to lesser-visited pockets of the North East. Second, it encourages local entrepreneurship: homestays, trekking operators, eco-lodges and destination-specific experiences.
By linking local communities to international markets, the Sikkim international tourism mart helps ensure that tourism revenue stays local, empowering communities rather than displacing them. As local leaders in Gangtok note, this aligns with the state’s ethos of environmental protection and inclusive growth.
Furthermore, the adventure travel segment stands to gain: trekking, river rafting, mountain biking and wildlife safaris in the North East are ready for growth. The mart’s spotlight will likely lead to new investment, improved infrastructure and higher-quality experiences.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While the Sikkim international tourism mart promises much, realising its full potential requires addressing some lingering challenges. These include connectivity issues (roads, flights), ensuring sustainable infrastructure (eco-lodges, waste management) and training in community-based tourism operations.
However, the choice of Sikkim—already a model for sustainable tourism—helps mitigate many of these hurdles. With state support and the federal tourism ministry’s focus, the region can accelerate progress.
Officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Sikkim government are confident that the mart will kick-start long-term partnerships, not just a one-off event. They expect follow-up measures including familiarisation tours, investment road-shows and skilling programmes for youth and women in tourism.
How Stakeholders Should Engage
If you are a travel business, investor or local community leader — this is your moment. The Sikkim international tourism mart is open to:
- Homestay entrepreneurs and eco-lodges ready to host international guests.
- Local craft persons and tribal tourism operators wanting global exposure.
- Adventure travel operators looking to build new products in the North East.
- Policy-makers and training institutes aiming to scale sustainable tourism skills.
Register, network, and position yourself for what many believe could be a turning point in North East tourism.
For travellers seeking new experiences: consider visiting Sikkim in the coming year, explore eco-friendly trails, stay with local hosts and support responsible travel.
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