Imphal: The ongoing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which erupted in May 2023, have dealt a blow to the tourism industry in Manipur, leading to a sharp decline in tourist arrivals.
According to the state tourism department, the number of domestic tourists visiting Manipur saw a drastic drop after the conflict began. Compared to an average of 10,753 domestic tourists per month in the first quarter of 2023, the numbers plummeted to a mere 831 and 2,384 in June and December respectively.
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Foreign tourist arrivals also witnessed a significant decline, dropping from an average of 655 per month in the first quarter to 88 and 207 in June and December respectively.
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This sharp decline reflects a stark contrast to the promising growth the state’s tourism sector had been experiencing.
In 2022-23, Manipur saw a remarkable 371.5% increase in domestic tourist arrivals compared to the previous year, with foreign tourist footfall witnessing a staggering 2369.82% jump.
However, the ongoing conflict has effectively halted this positive momentum, causing significant economic losses to the tourism industry and its dependent communities.