As tourism continues to surge across India’s Northeast, tourism ministers from Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim stressed on the need to balance visitor growth with cultural preservation, environmental sustainability and community participation.
Participating in the panel discussion ‘Perfecting the art of Atithi Devo Bhava’ at the India Today Tourism Survey & Awards 2026, held in Goa last week, the ministers highlighted the unique strengths of their respective states while acknowledging the challenges posed by rapidly increasing tourist footfalls.
Meghalaya tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh Shira said the state had undergone a significant tourism transformation since 2018 despite possessing world-renowned attractions for decades. “Meghalaya is blessed with many beautiful landscapes and unique attractions, such as the living-root bridges and the wettest place on earth. However, due to lack of communication and other factors, it was not developed as one of the most sought-after destinations in the Northeast,” he said.
According to Shira, the state government has since invested heavily in tourism infrastructure, including the construction of two five-star hotels and the development of 120 tourist destinations. He said festivals, such as the Cherry Blossom Festival, Wangala Festival and Me’gong Festival, have helped attract visitors from across India and abroad while creating opportunities for local artists and musicians.
Arunachal Pradesh tourism minister Pasang Dorjee Sona cautioned against simplistic calls for restricting tourist numbers, describing the issue as a “double-edged sword”. “When you talk about regulating footfall, it is a double-edged sword. It is not just about regulating numbers but also about sensitising visitors,” Sona said. “If we focus only on restrictions, we may eventually lose tourism revenue and livelihoods that depend on the sector.”
He argued that the larger challenge lies in educating tourists about local customs and tribal traditions. While acknowledging occasional instances of insensitive behaviour by visitors, Sona said most tourists make genuine efforts to understand local cultures. “We as tribal people are very accommodative when it comes to guests coming from outside. We go out of our way to show hospitality, and that is helping us develop tourism in the state,” he said.
Sikkim tourism minister Tshering Thendup Bhutia echoed the importance of community-led tourism, particularly through the state’s extensive homestay network. “Atithi Devo Bhava starts right from rural tourism. Hospitality is an inborn quality for us,” Bhutia said, noting that Sikkim’s success in tourism has been built on strong local participation.
While Sikkim has largely avoided major conflicts involving tourists and local communities, Bhutia said the state has proactively introduced awareness initiatives through its ‘Sikkim Inspires’ programme. Under the initiative, trained youth volunteers brief visitors about local customs, cultural sensitivities and acceptable behaviour before they check into accommodation facilities.
The ministers agreed that tourism growth in the Northeast must be accompanied by greater awareness among travellers about local traditions and environmental responsibilities. They suggested that informed tourism, rather than strict restrictions, would be key to preserving the region’s unique cultural and ecological heritage while sustaining economic benefits for local communities.
Shira also used the platform to promote Cherrapunji as Meghalaya’s flagship tourism destination, citing its waterfalls, caves and upcoming tourism projects worth Rs 250 crore. Sona highlighted the remote district of Anini as an example of Arunachal Pradesh’s untapped tourism potential while Bhutia pointed to the popular Dzongri-Goechala trek and Sikkim’s high-altitude skywalk as signature experiences for visitors.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Meghalaya has constructed two five-star hotels and developed 120 tourist destinations as part of its tourism expansion programme.
- For Arunachal Pradesh, regulating tourist footfall is a double-edged sword. It is as important to sensitise visitors.
- Atithi Devo Bhava starts right from rural tourism and hospitality is an inborn asset of Sikkim tourism.
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