Tripura received Rs 80 lakh in Central tourism assistance during 2025-26 for major festivals, while 9,424 foreign tourists visited the state in the first half of 2026, placing Tripura third among Northeast states.
Tripura received Rs 80 lakh in Central financial assistance for tourism-related fairs and festivals during 2025-26, while the state recorded 9,424 foreign tourist visits in the first six months of 2026, according to information placed before the Lok Sabha by Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
The latest figures underline Tripura’s growing importance in the Northeast tourism sector, particularly in terms of foreign tourist arrivals. Although the state continues to rank lower in domestic tourist footfall compared with several other Northeastern states, it has maintained a strong position in attracting international visitors.
According to the data presented in Parliament, Tripura received cumulative Central financial assistance of Rs 249.35 lakh, or nearly Rs 2.49 crore, for fairs and festivals between 2016-17 and 2025-26. The highest annual allocation in the available period was recorded during 2025-26, when the Centre sanctioned Rs 80 lakh.
The assistance provided during the financial year was allocated for three prominent tourism and cultural events in the state. Of the total amount, Rs 30 lakh was sanctioned for the Neermahal Festival, another Rs 30 lakh for the Diwali Festival, and Rs 20 lakh for the Chabimura and Tirthamukh Festival.
The Central assistance forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen tourism by supporting fairs, festivals and other tourism-related activities that can attract visitors and showcase local culture, heritage and destinations.
The tourism figures for 2026 also place Tripura among the better-performing Northeastern states in foreign tourist arrivals. Between January and June 2026, the state recorded 9,424 foreign tourist visits, ranking third among the eight Northeastern states.
Sikkim topped the region with 43,734 foreign tourist visits, followed by Assam with 32,471. Tripura ranked ahead of Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland during the period.
Tripura had recorded 27,320 foreign tourist visits during the full year 2025, again securing the third position in the Northeast. The state also registered 6,81,103 domestic tourist visits in 2025, placing sixth among the Northeastern states in domestic tourist footfall.
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The Centre has been promoting tourism in the Northeast through financial support for fairs and festivals, tourism exhibitions, digital campaigns and social media initiatives. The Union Tourism Ministry is also supporting tourism infrastructure development through schemes such as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASHAD, Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment and Challenge-Based Destination Development.
With financial assistance continuing for major festivals and tourism destinations, Tripura is expected to further strengthen its tourism potential by promoting its cultural heritage, natural attractions and historic sites to both domestic and international visitors.
