Sustainable Cruise Tourism in Northeast India

The inland water transport (IWT) system in Northeast India (NER) has historically been an important mode of transportation, facilitated by its extensive network of rivers. Today, with a renewed focus on regional development and connectivity, the inland waterways are being rediscovered as valuable assets, not only for transportation but also for tourism. River cruise tourism is an emerging industry in the NER that capitalizes on the regions natural beauty, cultural heritage, and biodiversity. This brief examines the current status of cruise tourism and its potential for sustainable growth for strategic and economic development in the NER.