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Travel
Tourism Slumps as Assam-Meghalaya Border Tensions Lead to 90% Booking Cancellations
✍️ NDTV
🗓 24 Aug 2026, 04:38 PM
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Travel operators report that nearly nine out of ten reservations for the region have been cancelled after border tensions flared between Assam and Meghalaya.
The escalation of border disputes between the northeastern states of Assam and Meghalaya has sent shockwaves through the local tourism sector. Hotels, resorts and tour operators across both states say that close to 90% of bookings made for the upcoming season have been withdrawn since the tensions began.
Industry sources attribute the sharp decline to safety concerns among domestic and international travellers, many of whom have postponed or cancelled trips to popular destinations such as Kaziranga National Park, Shillong and the Brahmaputra riverfront. Travel agencies report a surge in refund requests and a noticeable drop in inquiries for adventure packages.
The tourism departments of both states have issued advisories urging visitors to stay updated on the situation and have pledged to cooperate with security forces to restore normalcy. Officials stress that the cancellations are a temporary setback and that efforts are underway to resolve the border issues through dialogue.
Analysts warn that prolonged unrest could have a lasting impact on the region’s revenue, which heavily depends on seasonal tourism. They recommend that stakeholders diversify promotional strategies and enhance safety communication to rebuild traveller confidence once the dispute is settled.
Industry sources attribute the sharp decline to safety concerns among domestic and international travellers, many of whom have postponed or cancelled trips to popular destinations such as Kaziranga National Park, Shillong and the Brahmaputra riverfront. Travel agencies report a surge in refund requests and a noticeable drop in inquiries for adventure packages.
The tourism departments of both states have issued advisories urging visitors to stay updated on the situation and have pledged to cooperate with security forces to restore normalcy. Officials stress that the cancellations are a temporary setback and that efforts are underway to resolve the border issues through dialogue.
Analysts warn that prolonged unrest could have a lasting impact on the region’s revenue, which heavily depends on seasonal tourism. They recommend that stakeholders diversify promotional strategies and enhance safety communication to rebuild traveller confidence once the dispute is settled.