Assam Cabinet Unveils New Rules to Boost Tourism and Hospitality Sector
New Regulations for Assam's Tourism Sector
Assam CM flanked by cabinet ministers address the press, on Tuesday. (Photo:@KishoreBJP/X)
Guwahati, June 23: In a strategic initiative to enhance the tourism landscape and streamline business operations within the hospitality industry, the Assam Cabinet has approved the Assam Tourism Accommodation (Development and Registration) Rules, 2026.
This new framework establishes a single-window registration process for various types of tourist accommodations, including hotels, resorts, motels, guest houses, lodges, service apartments, homestays, tented accommodations, and heritage hotels.
During a press briefing following the cabinet meeting at Lok Bhawan, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that these regulations aim to simplify compliance procedures, minimize delays, and attract more investments in tourism infrastructure.
A notable aspect of this new system is the automatic renewal feature, which allows registrations to be renewed every three years.
“We believe this initiative will simplify compliance for operators and foster a more business-friendly atmosphere for tourism ventures,” he remarked.
Sarma emphasized that homestay operators would gain significant advantages from these reforms, as they can register via a specialized online portal and benefit from automatic renewals without lengthy approval processes.
“The government is also formulating a distinct policy to bolster the homestay sector through financial incentives and additional support measures, which will be revealed after the state Budget,” he mentioned.
This cabinet decision comes at a time of increasing optimism regarding Assam's potential as a global tourism hotspot.
Sarma pointed out that the European Union has recently lifted travel advisories concerning Assam, following similar actions by Australia and Japan.
“With the European Union's withdrawal of its travel advisory, we anticipate a rise in European tourist arrivals in Assam,” he stated.
Currently, only the United States and Canada maintain travel advisories for the state.
The Chief Minister also underscored recent improvements in international air connectivity, which he described as vital for Assam's tourism aspirations.
He noted that Air India Express has initiated direct flights from Guwahati to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while Druk Air operates international routes connecting Guwahati to cities like Singapore and Bangkok.
The state government is also investigating the possibility of establishing direct flights to Vietnam as part of its broader strategy to enhance Assam's global connectivity.
“Our goal is to transform Guwahati into an international gateway for the Northeast. Improved air connectivity will significantly benefit tourism, trade, and economic development,” Sarma concluded.
Additionally, the government is exploring options to facilitate smoother international travel connections for passengers traveling from Guwahati to North American destinations via Gulf transit hubs.