Imphal: Manipur’s tourism industry has suffered a significant blow, with tourist arrivals dwindling to approximately 17,000 in 2024-25 from 1.79 lakh in 2019-20. The sharp decline is attributed to the ongoing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which have gripped the state for over two years, and exorbitant airfares that discourage travelers from visiting.
During a review meeting with Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, state government officials highlighted the issue of rising airfares and urged the minister to take up the matter with the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The officials emphasized that the high travel costs, combined with the prevailing security situation, have severely impacted the tourism sector. Anurag Bajpai, Additional Chief Secretary of Manipur, requested the Union Minister to intervene in the matter, stating that the state has already written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding the issue.
The Union Minister also reviewed ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and assessed the progress of various central schemes implemented by state departments. Kumar assured central support for the state’s development and progress, directing the state government to submit a comprehensive action plan outlining short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals for development. The meeting discussed various flagship schemes of the Central government and initiatives taken by the state government, focusing on sectors such as health, education, transport, and tourism.
