I Kitto Zhimomi and others addressing press conference in Kohima on November 26. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 26
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is all set to hold 9th edition of International Tourism Mart (ITM) for the northeast region in Kohima from November 27 to 29.
“We hope to have a host of leaders, diplomats who will be attending the International Tourism Mart along with a large number of delegates, mostly stakeholders in the tourism industry and people from the media,” said I Kitto Zhimomi, Commissioner & Secretary for tourism while addressing a press conference at the Directorate of Tourism, Kohima.
He said the ITM will witness the participation of tour operators, resort proprietors, travel and tour companies and vloggers who do travel and food shows.
The inaugural session will take place on November 27 at the State Banquet Hall Kohima at 6:30 PM with Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as the chief guest.
This will be followed by B2B (Business to Business) and presentation session on November 28 at Kisama.
“We have participants from all the eight north eastern states,” he said adding that every state will make presentation that will be followed by sessions on festival, fairs and interactive sessions with ambassadors from five countries.
The ITM will also witness a field visit to Puliebadze and Khonoma. The ITM will continue till November 29.
Vibhava Tripathi, Assistant Director General (IT Delhi & Events), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and other officials also present at the press conference.
Earlier, Nagaland’s tourism and art & culture advisor Khehovi Yepthomi said that the 9th edition of ITM will be hosted by tourism department along with the Nagaland government for the first time.
“The International Tourism Mart (ITM) an annual event organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India since 2013 in the North East regions with the objective to promote the tourism potential and position this region as an attractive destination in the domestic and international markets,” he said while making a brief statement on Hornbill Festival 2021 at the state assembly session here today.
He said that 500 delegates including 300 buyers and sellers, officials from Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and 8 Northeast states are expected join the event.
“It is an event where we see participation from international tour operators, media, opinion makers, domestic tour operators and state governments to boost tourism in the North Eastern region, “ he said adding that ITM is held on a rotation basis in one of the North Eastern states and so far a total of 8 editions of ITM have been held till 2019.
Assistant Director General (IT Delhi & Event) Ministry of Tourism, Vibhava Tripathi said that the mart was not only international but a domestic push to promote the North Eastern Region of India and showcase Nagaland. He said most of the events of the mart was based on the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, where tourism and products of the North East are exposed to rest of the country. He also said the ambassadors to visit the 9th Edition of the International Tourism Mart were from Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei, a DIPR report added.
A number of activities are being organized as part of ITM which includes presentations by North eastern states, panel discussions, B2B session and FAM tours.
