Significant Drop in Tourist Arrivals in Manipur Amid Ongoing Ethnic Tensions
Tourism Decline in Manipur
Imphal, Nov 4: The number of tourists visiting Manipur has drastically fallen to approximately 17,000 in 2024-25, a sharp decline from 1.79 lakh in 2019-20, largely due to ongoing ethnic conflicts between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that have persisted for over two years.
The statement highlighted that the unrest in the region, coupled with soaring airfare, has significantly impacted travel to the state.
"The primary reason for the drop in tourist numbers is the civil unrest, while the high cost of airfare is another major deterrent for potential visitors," the statement noted.
During a recent meeting with Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who visited Imphal to review various central initiatives, state officials brought up the issue of expensive air travel.
In response to inquiries, Kumar learned that tourist arrivals have plummeted from over 1,79,000 (including 1,67,000 domestic and 12,000 international) in 2019-20 to around 17,000 (15,700 domestic and 1,300 international) in 2024-25.
Officials from the state urged the Union minister to address the airfare concerns with the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The minister was also updated on the funds allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs for relief efforts and the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Kumar mentioned on social media, "The Centre has already allocated ₹500 crore for relief and rehabilitation. Under the guidance of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, we will continue to support Manipur in rebuilding lives and fostering inclusive growth."
During the meeting, Kumar evaluated various central programs and policies to ensure their effective implementation.
He also requested the state government to provide a detailed action plan within a week, outlining both short-term and long-term development objectives.
Kumar assessed the progress of various initiatives being carried out by state departments.