The ASEAN–India Tourism Professionals Exchange Programme 2025 commenced in Guwahati with two days of intensive interactions among tourism professionals from India and ten ASEAN Member States. Organised by the Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (ATDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the programme is being held from 12 to 17 December across Guwahati, Kaziranga and New Delhi.
The exchange aims to strengthen regional tourism linkages by integrating the North East of India into ASEAN travel circuits through structured business meetings, trade interactions and the creation of collaborative networks involving tour operators, policymakers and industry stakeholders.
This initiative builds on India’s participation at the MATTA Fair 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, where ATDC promoted Assam and the North East as emerging tourism destinations under the ASEAN–India Year of Tourism. The current programme seeks to convert that interest into tangible partnerships by enabling ASEAN stakeholders to experience Assam’s tourism products, infrastructure and community-led models firsthand.
A total of forty-one delegates from ASEAN are participating in the exchange, representing Cambodia (4), Indonesia (8), Lao PDR (4), Malaysia (4), Myanmar (4), Philippines (3), Singapore (3), Thailand (4), Timor Leste (2) and Vietnam (5). They are joined by representatives from leading Indian tourism industry associations and regional organisations. The initial two days featured formal sessions, B2B interactions and curated site visits aimed at deepening professional engagement.
On 12 December, delegates arrived in Guwahati and participated in a sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra River, highlighting Assam’s river-based tourism offerings and community experiences. The following day saw the formal inauguration at Hotel Mayfair, Guwahati, followed by structured B2B meetings between tour operators from the North East, the rest of India and ASEAN countries. The day concluded with a cultural evening showcasing Assamese music, dance and cuisine.
Highlighting the broader objectives of the programme, Shri Pabitra Margherita, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, stated, “The ASEAN–India Tourism Professionals Exchange Programme reaffirms our belief that tourism can strengthen regional cooperation and people-to-people ties. When professionals from across the region collaborate, design itineraries and share insights, they build partnerships that last well beyond a single event. India offers diversity of landscapes and experiences; ASEAN brings vibrant markets and travellers seeking authenticity. Together, we can develop routes that respect culture, protect ecosystems and empower local entrepreneurs. This initiative will help define that shared agenda for the coming decade.”
Speaking on Assam’s tourism vision, Shri Ranjeet Kumar Das, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Assam, said, “Assam’s tourism story is entering a new phase of growth that is structured, data-driven and globally connected. Our participation in the ASEAN–India Tourism Professionals Exchange Programme 2025 marks an important milestone in positioning the state as a serious player in international tourism cooperation. The Government is committed to ensuring that investments in infrastructure, hospitality and digital promotion are matched with strong community involvement, creating a tourism economy that is competitive, responsible and globally relevant.”
Emphasising the importance of the exchange, Shri Kumar Padmapani Bora, IRS, Managing Director, Assam Tourism Development Corporation, observed, “This exchange is a decisive step towards transforming long-standing cultural links between India and ASEAN into working tourism partnerships. By experiencing Assam’s wildlife, tea heritage and river tourism, and by engaging directly with local operators and communities, delegates gain insight into tourism models that deliver meaningful experiences while generating local economic benefits. The momentum created at MATTA Fair is being carried forward through sustained cooperation during this programme.”
The programme highlights Assam and the North East as India’s natural gateway to ASEAN, both geographically and culturally. Delegates are scheduled to visit Kaziranga National Park and nearby tea gardens, where they will interact with guides, lodge operators and local entrepreneurs engaged in conservation-based tourism.
Discussions during the opening phase focused on enhancing regional connectivity, including new air routes, improved highway infrastructure in the North East and the upcoming terminal at Guwahati International Airport, which is expected to significantly improve international access. Participants also explored multi-destination itineraries linking Assam with other North Eastern states and destinations across South and South-East Asia, supported by coordinated marketing and digital outreach.
The Guwahati leg has set a constructive foundation for subsequent sessions in Kaziranga and New Delhi, where policy-level consultations with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of External Affairs and ASEAN missions will further develop the ideas generated. The partnerships forged during the programme are expected to lead to familiarisation tours, joint promotions and collaborative product development, strengthening visitor flows between ASEAN countries and the North East of India in the years ahead.
