GUWAHATI: Assam recorded over 90.55 lakh domestic tourist visits and 33,858 foreign tourist visits in 2025, according to data presented by the Ministry of Tourism in the Lok Sabha on Monday, August 10.
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The figures were provided in response to a starred question raised by BJP MP from the Kaziranga constituency, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, who sought details from Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on whether the Centre had introduced new schemes or plans to attract domestic and international tourists to the North Eastern Region.
Tasa also asked whether the North Eastern Region has significant potential to increase tourist footfall due to its natural beauty, cultural diversity and heritage sites.
In its response, the Ministry of Tourism stated that the government promotes tourism destinations and products across the North Eastern states through promotional events, assistance to state governments for fairs and festivals, participation in exhibitions, websites and social media platforms.
The Ministry has also been organising the International Tourism Mart (ITM) in the North Eastern Region since 2013. The annual event is aimed at showcasing the tourism potential of the region to domestic and international audiences. The latest edition was held in Gangtok, Sikkim, from November 13 to 16, 2025.
For Assam, the Centre said several initiatives have been undertaken under various central tourism schemes.
Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, Assam received ₹94.68 crore in 2015-16 for the development of the Manas–Pobitora–Nameri–Kaziranga–Dibru-Saikhowa wildlife circuit.
Another ₹90.98 crore was sanctioned in 2016-17 under the Heritage circuit for the development of Tezpur–Majuli–Sibsagar.
Under the revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Assam has received sanctions for two projects. A Kokrajhar Wetland Experience was sanctioned at a cost of ₹26.68 crore, while ₹23.88 crore was sanctioned for Reimagining Cinnamara Tea Estate in Jorhat. Both projects were sanctioned on March 5, 2024.
The Centre has also sanctioned ₹9.99 crore under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme for the Panidhing Bird Sanctuary in Sivasagar. The project was sanctioned on March 27, 2025.
Under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, Assam received sanctions for two tourism-related projects in 2024-25. ₹97.12 crore was sanctioned for the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden in Guwahati, while ₹94.76 crore was sanctioned for the beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar.
The Centre has also supported tourism-related infrastructure in Assam under the PRASHAD scheme. ₹29.80 crore was sanctioned in 2015-16 for the development of Kamakhya.
In addition, under assistance to central agencies, ₹28.03 crore was sanctioned in 2020-21 for the development of jetties at nine major points of embarkation and disembarkation for river cruises on National Waterways 1 and 2 in Assam.
The Ministry of Tourism has also supported the joint development of tourist amenities at Kamakhya Railway Station and Guwahati Railway Station, with ₹4.96 crore and ₹4.99 crore respectively sanctioned in 2018-19.
The latest tourist footfall data cited by the Ministry shows that Assam received 46.04 lakh domestic tourist visits and 32,471 foreign tourist visits between January and June 2026. The data was sourced from the state tourism department.
The Centre’s response comes amid renewed focus on expanding Assam’s tourism infrastructure and promoting the state’s wildlife, heritage, religious, cultural and eco-tourism destinations to both domestic and international visitors.