Tea plantations, monasteries and mountains: Why Northeast India is winning over Indian travelers

Northeast India is increasingly emerging as one of the country’s most impressive frontiers for hospitality development. Despite its outstanding natural attractions, cultural diversity, wildlife, tea tourism, adventure, religious tourism, festivals and wellness experiences, the region accounted for only 0.43% of India’s domestic tourism visits and 1.17% of foreign tourism visits in 2024, according to Northeast India: A Hidden Gem for Tourism Potential – a recent report published by Anarock HFV.

Here’s a look at why Northeast India is attracting growing interest from developers, despite the region remaining historically underrepresented in India’s tourism landscape.

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In terms of hospitality offerings, too, it remains significantly underpenetrated, with only 1.7% of branded hotel inventory in India as of March 2026.

“However, this is what makes the opportunity interesting. Improving road, rail and air connectivity, stronger policy support and growing demand for authentic experiential travel are helping developers focus more on several destinations in the Northeast,” explains Akash Datta. Executive Director (South Asia), HVS ANAROCK

Why hospitality developers are moving beyond Goa and Kerala

Although Northeast India is experiencing a significant increase in tourism, this does not mean that established leisure markets such as Goa and Kerala will lose their appeal or charm. In fact, Goa welcomed nearly 10.8 million tourists in 2025, while Kerala recorded more than 25 million domestic tourist visits, reaffirming the continued strength of these mature destinations.

“What is changing is that demand for leisure in India is expanding and travelers are increasingly willing to explore newer destinations outside the traditional favourites. For hospitality developers, therefore, the North East is not a substitute for Goa or Kerala; it is complementary to India’s growing leisure and experiential tourism story,” concludes Datta.

What North East can learn from Kerala and Rajasthan

Based on the report and best practices adopted by Kerala, Rajasthan and Gujarat, here are five key lessons Northeast India can take from each state’s tourism playbook.

What Northeast India can learn from Kerala

Build a strong destination brand: Kerala’s ‘God’s Own Country’ campaign created a globally recognizable identity. Northeast India needs a unified brand while allowing each state to retain its unique character.

Scope of responsible and community tourism: Kerala has successfully integrated local communities into tourism through homestays, village experiences and responsible tourism initiatives.

Develop wellness as a premium offer: Kerala has turned Ayurveda into a global tourism product. The Northeast can similarly wrap indigenous healing traditions, yoga practices, etc.

Support longer stays through tourist circuits: Kerala combines beaches, backwaters, hill stations and wildlife into seamless itineraries. Similarly, the northeastern states can create multi-state circuits combining tea estates, monasteries, wildlife and tribal villages.

What Northeast India can learn from Rajasthan

Turn heritage into hospitality: Rajasthan has converted forts, palaces and havelis into luxury hotels. Northeast India can similarly restore colonial tea bungalows, indigenous heritage houses, monasteries and historic buildings as boutiques.

Create iconic festivals that attract visitors from all over the world: Events like Jaipur Literary Festival, Pushkar Fair and Desert Festival attract tourists beyond sightseeing. Hornbill Festival, Bihu, Sangai Festival and Cherry Blossom Festival can be converted into international attractions.