ASEAN–India Tourism Professionals Exchange Programme 2025 Concludes Successfully in Assam
Guwahati, Assam, The ASEAN India Tourism Professionals Exchange Programme 2025, held in Guwahati and Kaziranga, Assam from 12 to 15 December 2025, concluded successfully, marking an important milestone in strengthening tourism cooperation between India and the ten ASEAN member countries. The programme was organised as part of the ASEAN India Year of Tourism 2025, with the aim of enhancing people-to-people ties, promoting sustainable tourism, and positioning North East India as a key gateway in ASEAN India tourism circuits.
The programme brought together over 40 tourism professionals, policymakers, and industry representatives from ASEAN member countries- Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam, along with stakeholders from the Indian tourism sector. The initiative was supported by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC).
A major outcome of the programme was the strengthening of professional and institutional linkages between Indian and ASEAN tourism stakeholders. Through structured B2B meetings and interactive sessions, participants explored opportunities for long-term partnerships, joint marketing initiatives, and knowledge exchange, laying the foundation for sustained cooperation.
The programme highlighted the tourism potential of Assam and the wider North East region as an integral part of ASEAN-India travel circuits. Delegates experienced key attractions including river-based tourism on the Brahmaputra, wildlife and conservation tourism at Kaziranga National Park, tea garden experiences, and the region’s rich cultural heritage, reinforcing the North East’s appeal as a sustainable and experiential destination.
Discussions also focused on collaborative tourism product development, community-led tourism models, and responsible tourism practices that ensure inclusive growth and benefits for local communities. Improving air quality, road infrastructure, and digital connectivity between ASEAN countries and North East India was identified as a priority, with Guwahati’s emerging role as an international aviation hub gaining particular attention.
The programme concluded with consensus on future joint promotional initiatives, including familiarisation tours, participation in international tourism fairs, and coordinated digital marketing under the ASEAN–India Year of Tourism framework. The successful exchange underscores India’s growing engagement with ASEAN and highlights North East India as a vital bridge connecting South and Southeast Asia through tourism.
