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NEITA2025-EligibilityCriteriaforNominations

NEITA 2025 celebrates tourism champions who are innovating, preserving, and empowering the tourism landscape across Northeast India. The awards are open to a diverse group of individuals, businesses, institutions, and communities that are contributing meaningfully to travel, culture, sustainability, and hospitality in the region.
Eligible applicants must be actively working within one or more of the Northeast Indian states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, or Tripura.

Northeast India Tourism Awards

Celebrating excellence in tourism across the Northeast

A. Destination Excellence

Best Emerging Destination

Open to tourism boards, local municipal bodies, or destination management companies (DMCs) that have been actively promoting new or lesser-known destinations in Northeast India. Applicants must show evidence of tourism development, improved infrastructure, or marketing efforts that have increased visibility and visitation.
Destination

Best Eco-Tourism Destination

Eligible destinations must demonstrate commitment to environmental preservation through eco-tourism models, community engagement, and low-impact tourism. Managed by either state authorities, NGOs, or private operators.
Eco

Best Village Destination

Villages that have adopted community-based tourism, homestay programs, or guided cultural experiences with proper infrastructure and visitor services. Preference will be given to villages with proven tourism impact and local benefits.
Community

Best Offbeat Travel Experience

This includes tour operators, homestays, or destinations offering unique experiences such as remote treks, traditional rituals, cave tours, or uncharted nature trails. The experience must be safe, culturally sensitive, and immersive.
Adventure

Best Adventure Destination

Destinations known for structured adventure activities like trekking, rafting, zip-lining, or rock climbing are eligible. Safety measures, tourist facilities, and official tourism engagement are key eligibility factors.
Adventure

Best Wildlife Tourism Spot

Forest departments, NGOs, or eco-tourism organizations managing reserves, sanctuaries, or nature parks can apply. The destination should attract tourists for wildlife viewing and show ethical, sustainable practices.
Eco

B. Service Excellence

Best Tour Operator

Open to licensed tour operators offering consistent, structured tourism experiences across Northeast India. Applicants must show customer satisfaction, innovation in itinerary planning, and local impact.
Service

Best Travel Agency

Includes both B2C and B2B agencies that book and manage travel services within Northeast India. Applicants should demonstrate professionalism, efficient service delivery, and regional tourism promotion.
Service

Best Hospitality Service

Hotels, resorts, or homestays with outstanding guest service, amenities, and staff excellence are eligible. Applicants must showcase reviews, hospitality innovation, or community-friendly practices.
Service

Best Cruise Experience

Operators of river or lake cruises in Northeast India offering scenic, safe, and immersive travel experiences. Evaluation will focus on guest experience, eco-sustainability, and cultural connection.
Service

Best Luxury Stay Experience

Luxury hotels, retreats, or resorts offering top-tier comfort, unique design, and world-class guest experience. Eligible entities must demonstrate consistent service quality, ambiance, and exclusivity.
Service

Best Budget-Friendly Accommodation

Includes quality homestays, hostels, and budget hotels that offer safe, clean, and affordable stays without compromising on service. Applicants should demonstrate value-for-money and local engagement.
Service

Best Tourism/DMC company

Destination Management Companies providing comprehensive services including group tours, MICE, and event-based travel in Northeast India. Strong project portfolios and multi-stakeholder coordination are desirable.
Service

Best Car & Bike Rentals

Local transport operators or startups providing reliable vehicle rental services for tourists in NE India. Eligibility is based on safety, customer reviews, and regional accessibility.
Service

Best Hotel for MICE & Weddings

Hotels with full infrastructure for conferences, weddings, and events. Must show capacity, service efficiency, and event management capabilities with a track record in NE India.
Service

Best Tour Guide

Certified individual tour guides who provide in-depth, culturally respectful, and safe experiences in Northeast India. Applicants must show client testimonials, language skills, and knowledge depth.
Service

Best Boutique Hotel / Homestay

Unique properties with personalized services and cultural elements that reflect local heritage or traditions. Eligibility is based on authenticity, guest reviews, and atmosphere.
Service

Best Chauffeur

Tourism drivers with excellent guest service, road safety, knowledge of routes, and overall professionalism. Applicable for individuals with consistent and reliable tourist service experience.
Service

C. Cultural & Adventure Tourism

Best Adventure Tourism Company

Eligible to companies licensed to operate adventure activities such as trekking, rafting, climbing, and zip-lining within Northeast India. Applicants must adhere to safety protocols and contribute to promoting the region as an adventure tourism destination.
Adventure

Best Culinary Experience

Restaurants, chefs, or food tourism companies offering authentic cuisine-based experiences rooted in Northeast Indian culinary traditions. Must demonstrate creativity, cultural relevance, and impact on local food tourism.
Cultural

Best Handicrafts and Artisan Promotion Through Tourism

Open to NGOs, cooperatives, or tourism enterprises promoting indigenous crafts through tours, workshops, and curated experiences. Applicants should show evidence of artisan involvement, income generation, and cultural preservation.
Cultural

Best Native Folk Experience

Tour operators or community-led models offering immersive, respectful, and responsible tribal tourism experiences. Focus should be on authenticity, community benefit, and safeguarding indigenous traditions.
Cultural

D. Sustainability & Community Engagement

Best Responsible Tourism Initiative

Any tourism group or business that demonstrates a clear commitment to ethical, eco-conscious, and inclusive tourism. Initiatives must actively reduce environmental impact while enhancing community welfare.
Sustainability

Best Community-Based Tourism Initiative

Open to tourism initiatives where local communities are the primary stakeholders and beneficiaries. Applicants should demonstrate how the model empowers residents and ensures equitable economic benefit.
Community

Best Sustainable Tourism Practice

Companies or organizations that have adopted green technologies, reduced waste, or introduced sustainable travel frameworks. Must present measurable outcomes and long-term planning for sustainable impact.
Sustainability

Best Waste-Free Tourism Initiative

Entities pioneering zero-waste tourism models through reusables, composting, or waste management systems. Proof of measurable waste reduction and awareness activities is essential.
Sustainability

Best Cultural Heritage Conservation Effort

Tourism-linked projects focused on preserving architectural, intangible, or ritualistic heritage. Must illustrate the role of tourism in protecting, showcasing, and sustaining cultural identity.
Cultural

E. Digital & Media Excellence

Best Travel Blogger

Travel writers and bloggers who consistently create original, insightful, and engaging content focused on destinations, culture, people, or experiences in North East India. Both long-form blog writers and microbloggers are welcome.
Digital

Best Travel Influencer/Content Creator

Social media influencers and content creators who have significantly promoted North East India through creative visuals, videos, or storytelling on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or others—showcasing tourism, lifestyle, or culture with authenticity and impact.
Digital

Best Documentary/Short Film on Northeast Tourism

Filmmakers or agencies with documentaries or short films that highlight Northeast India's culture, people, or destinations. Entries must demonstrate strong narrative, visuals, and tourism relevance.
Digital

Best Photographer of the Year

Professional or amateur photographers capturing the diverse beauty of Northeast India. Images must reflect aesthetic quality, cultural accuracy, and tourism inspiration.
Digital

Best Social Media Promotion of Northeast Tourism

Social media campaigns, accounts, or creators that have significantly promoted Northeast tourism. Metrics of engagement, creativity, and community impact will be considered.
Digital

F. Special Recognition Awards

Lifetime Achievement in Northeast Tourism

Tourism professionals with over 20 years of distinguished service and impact in developing, promoting, or preserving tourism in the region. Nominees should have a legacy of leadership, mentorship, and community upliftment.
Special

Best State for Tourism Development

Open to the Tourism Departments of Northeast India's states. Assessment will be based on policy innovation, infrastructure development, marketing success, and community inclusion.
Special

Best Emerging Travel Entrepreneur

Travel business founders operating for under 5 years, with innovative business models and clear contributions to the NE tourism ecosystem. Startups must reflect scalability, local involvement, and positive visitor feedback.
Special

Best Women-Led Tourism Enterprise

Tourism businesses that are founded, owned, or majorly operated by women in Northeast India. Applicants must show leadership, business excellence, and contributions to gender-inclusive tourism.
Special

Most Innovative Tourism Startup

Startups introducing tech-driven, design-forward, or community-first innovations in tourism. Eligibility includes new platforms, booking apps, storytelling formats, or service models.
Special

Festival of the Year

Any organisation, agency or individuals behind a festival that helped boost tourism/ cultural impact.
Special

Grass-roots Hero of Northeast India

Local individuals making extraordinary contributions to tourism without formal recognition—such as guides, artists, local leaders, community tourism heroes, environmentalist or social workers. Impact on community and visitor experience are key evaluation parameters.
Special

Guardian of the Wild Award

Wildlife protectors, forest rangers, or eco-activists committed to conservation through tourism. Nominees must show courage, impact, and long-term dedication to nature protection.
Special
6
Award Categories
40
Total Awards
9
Award Types

Promoting excellence in Northeast India's tourism industry