Dear Travel Partners,
August marks the beginning of one of the most important planning phases for our industry. While the monsoon continues to influence travel across parts of the East and Northeast, the market is already looking ahead. Enquiries for Durga Puja, the festive season, winter holidays, MICE and experiential travel are steadily gathering momentum, making this the ideal time to secure inventory and prepare for the busy months ahead.
This edition’s Demand Radar reflects an encouraging shift in traveller preferences. Beyond the traditional favourites, we are witnessing growing interest in destinations that offer authentic experiences, nature, heritage and meaningful journeys. Our featured destination, Sittong, perfectly represents this evolving trend—an offbeat Himalayan escape where immersive experiences take centre stage.
On the inbound front, enquiries continue to remain subdued as geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East impacts traveller sentiment and international connectivity. However, there is cautious optimism that as the situation stabilises, inbound travel will gradually regain momentum, creating the potential for a strong comeback in the coming quarters.
As always, our objective through Rising Stories of the East is to share timely market intelligence that helps you make informed decisions, identify emerging opportunities and stay ahead of changing travel trends. We hope this edition provides valuable insights as you prepare for what promises to be an exciting festive and winter season.
Best Wishes,
Amit Periwal
Director & CEO
Clubside Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Demand Radar – August
East & Northeast India & Andaman
Forward Booking Trend
Advance enquiries for the October–December travel season are gaining momentum across Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan, Northeast India, Kolkata, Sundarbans, Shantiniketan, Andaman and emerging destinations such as Sittong. Durga Puja, winter holidays, group departures, MICE and corporate travel are driving early bookings.
Demand Trend
While the peak monsoon season continues to impact travel across parts of the Northeast, enquiries for the festive and winter season are gathering momentum. Travellers are showing growing interest in heritage experiences, tea tourism, river cruises, offbeat Himalayan destinations, Andaman island holidays and experiential travel, while MICE and corporate travel continue to support demand across the hills.
Price & Supply Dynamics
Current shoulder-season availability remains comfortable across most destinations, offering attractive pricing and greater flexibility. However, premium inventory for Durga Puja, Christmas and New Year is already tightening across Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan, Andaman and select boutique properties. Early booking is recommended.
Booking Behaviour
Weekend getaways continue to generate steady movement from nearby markets, while booking windows are lengthening as travellers increasingly plan ahead for the festive and winter season.
Trade Insight
August is a planning month rather than a peak travel month. Agents who secure inventory now will benefit from better availability, stronger commercial terms and greater flexibility before festive demand accelerates.
Market Outlook
With festive travel, winter holidays, MICE, group travel, experiential tourism and the seasonal revival of Andaman expected to strengthen over the coming months, East & Northeast India and Andaman remain well positioned for a robust second half of the year.
Destination Decode
Sittong: Nature's Hidden Paradise in the Eastern Himalayas
The Experiential Learning Capital of the Eastern Himalayas
Why Sell This Now:
Tap into the growing demand for experiential travel, nature-based escapes, wellness retreats, and meaningful outdoor experiences. Sittong offers a rare combination of mist-covered hills, tea gardens, forests, viewpoints, adventure activities, cultural interactions, and immersive camp experiences—making it an ideal alternative to crowded hill stations. With travelers increasingly seeking authentic, slow, and experience-driven holidays, Sittong is perfectly positioned as a refreshing Himalayan escape.
Client Matching:
Ideal for school and college groups, families, nature lovers, photographers, trekking enthusiasts, corporate teams, wellness travelers, weekend explorers, and experience-driven travelers looking to reconnect with nature through meaningful outdoor activities.
The Anti-Persona:
Not suited for travelers seeking luxury nightlife, shopping hubs, amusement parks, fast-paced itineraries, or polished urban infrastructure. Sittong is peaceful, nature-focused, and experience-driven—best enjoyed by travelers who appreciate outdoor activities, slow travel, fresh mountain air, and immersive surroundings.
Optimized Routing Architectures:
FLOW 1 (3 Days – Sittong Nature & Experiential Escape)
Day 01: NJP to Sittong (75 kms / 3–3.5 hrs)
Scenic drive through the hills. Check-in and orientation. Evening camp activities, bonfire, music, and reflection session.
Day 02: Full-Day Sittong Exploration
Morning hike and scrambling session – Jogighat Bridge – Mahal Diram Tea Garden – Sittong II View Point – Ahaldara View Point – Evening musical session.
Day 03: Sittong to NJP
Morning wellness session, breakfast, and departure for NJP.
Critical Operational Alert:
Sittong is an experience-first nature destination where the itinerary revolves around outdoor activities, scenic exploration, moderate walking, hill weather, and experiential programs. Changing weather conditions can affect outdoor activities and travel flow. Proper expectation setting regarding comfortable clothing, suitable footwear, physical activity, and outdoor conditions is essential for a smooth guest experience.
The Inventory Snapshot:
Premium Nature Retreats:
Boutique Mountain Resorts | Eco Retreats
Mid-Range Stays:
Local Nature Resorts | Tea Garden Homestays | Hill View Cottages
The Rookie Booking Mistake:
Positioning Sittong as just another hill station or sightseeing destination instead of presenting it as an immersive experience combining nature, adventure, wellness, culture, outdoor learning, and meaningful human connections.
Managing Reality:
Highlight Sittong as an experience rather than a commercial hill station. Clearly communicate:
- Outdoor and nature-based activities
- Moderate walking and hiking
- Changing hill weather
- Limited urban entertainment
- The importance of comfortable clothing and suitable footwear
- A slow and immersive travel experience
Yield Maximizer:
Promote travel between October to April for pleasant weather, clearer Himalayan views, comfortable temperatures, and ideal conditions for outdoor activities, hiking, nature exploration, and experiential programs.
When to Lock Inventory (Pricing Insight):
Secure inventory well in advance during winter holidays, festive seasons, school vacations, long weekends, and spring months when demand for hill destinations increases. Weekday departures generally offer better pricing, greater availability, and a quieter experience.
The Experience Edge:
Sittong isn’t just a destination—it is a gateway to immersive Himalayan experiences, where tea gardens, forests, viewpoints, adventure activities, cultural interactions, wellness sessions, and camp experiences come together to create meaningful and memorable travel. It is a high-value niche product for experiential, educational, corporate, wellness, and nature-based travel in North Bengal.
Ground Intelligence
All IndiGo Flights Move to Guwahati’s T2
All IndiGo flights (6E) will operate from the New Terminal (T2) at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati.
Nathula Pass Trade to Resume After Six-Year Pause
Cross-border trade through Sikkim’s historic Nathula Pass is set to resume from 1 August 2026, bringing fresh momentum to the region’s border economy and local trade opportunities.
Durga Puja 2026 Travel Demand Surges
With strong enquiries for October departures, advance booking is highly recommended for hotels, transport, guides and Hooghly River cruises as festive-period availability remains limited.
Singtom Tea Resort Temporarily Closed for Renovation
Singtom Tea Resort is currently closed for renovations and is expected to remain closed for the next couple of months before reopening.
Experience the Season: Festivals & Events Ahead
Ziro Music Festival – 24-27 Sep
Durga Puja 17-21Oct
Guns N’ Roses will perform in Guwahati on 17 November 2026
Cherry Blossom dates 20 & 21 Nov
Sangai Festival 21 Nov 2026 – 30 Nov
Hornbill festival – 1st-10th Dec 2026
