New Delhi: Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Tuesday called for stronger last-mile connectivity, unified branding, and integrated planning to unlock the North East’s full tourism potential. He was speaking at the 4th High-Level Task Force (HLTF) Meeting on Tourism, convened in New Delhi by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
The meeting brought together key regional leaders, including Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Sikkim Tourism Minister Tshering T. Bhutia, Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, and M.R. Synrem, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.
Building on the momentum of the previous three HLTF sessions, the meeting aimed to refine a coordinated, action-focused tourism blueprint for the region. Discussions centered on expanding multimodal connectivity, developing globally competitive destinations, boosting adventure and eco-tourism, and promoting culture- and heritage-based tourism products across the eight North Eastern states.
Participants also emphasized strengthening tourism infrastructure, modernizing the skilling ecosystem, and standardizing service delivery to ensure higher-quality visitor experiences and generate sustainable local employment.
Scindia highlighted the North East as “Bharat’s cultural and natural powerhouse,” asserting that the region is poised to emerge as one of the country’s strongest tourism frontiers. He stressed the need for sustainability-led development and advocated creating an annual North East festival calendar to showcase the region’s diverse cultural richness and deepen national and global appreciation.
A recurring theme was the need for unified branding of North East India as a premium tourism region, supported by a stable policy environment that can attract large-scale private investment. Enhanced inter-state coordination, participants noted, would be vital for seamless tourist circuits and curated travel experiences across the region.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) formed eight High-Level Task Forces, each led by a North East Chief Minister, to accelerate regional development through structured, cross-government collaboration.
The fourth HLTF meeting concluded with Scindia commending the quality of presentations and requesting the Government of Meghalaya to submit the final report after incorporating feedback from all members.
