Evolving women's role in Manipur tourism from 2003 to the Digital Tourism Agenda of 2026
- From policy to participation -

Anjali Chanu Moirangthem *

Tourism can be a powerful driver of women's economic empowerment as it creates jobs, supports entrepreneurship, and opens pathways into local value chains.

The Goa Roadmap, developed by UN Tourism with India's G20 Presidency, explicitly states that tourism can promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) viz. SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) by supporting the economic empowerment of women and local populations, and noted that women account for 54% of the global tourism workforce.

Tourism and women empowerment

Tourism supports women in at least three ways. First, it provides direct employment in accommodation, food services, guiding, transport, and visitor services. Second, it can create self-employment and micro-enterprise opportunities through homestays, handi-crafts, local food, and community-based tourism.

Third, it can strengthen women's participation in decision-making when tourism planning includes community stakeholders and women-led enterprises. However, the Goa Roadmap also cautions that women in tourism are often concentrated in lower-paid and lower-status roles, and many perform unpaid work in family tourism businesses.

Empowerment potential that tourism has depends on skills development, decent work, fair pay, and access to leadership and ownership opportunities.

Although the Manipur Tourism Dept's Annual Administrative Report (2024- 2025) does not explicitly address gender or women's empowerment, Manipur Tourism emphasis on community-based tourism, eco- tourism, handloom promotion, homestays, and cul- tural heritage presents opportunities for women's economic participation.

Projects such as the Loktak Lake Experience and the proposed Sangai Ethnic Park are expected to create employment in hospitality, handicrafts, local cuisine, eco-guiding, and cultural enterprises-sectors where Manipuri women have traditionally played an active role. The report in future must include gender- disaggregated data, women-specific policies, and indi- cators to assess women's participation and leadership in tourism development.

Incorporating gender-responsive planning and monitoring would streng-then the contribution of tourism to Sustainable Development Goals (Gender Equality), (Decent Work), and (Reduced Inequalities). One notable gap in the report is that women are virtually invisible in the official tourism statistics.

While the report extensively discusses infrastructure, budgets, tourist arrivals, and destination development, it does not quantify : the number of women employed in tourism, women- owned tourism enterprises, women's participation in tourism governance, income generated by women from tourism, or the impact of tourism projects on women's livelihoods.

However, the Tourism Dept of Manipur continued its efforts to promote sustainable tourism despite the challenging socio-political situation prevailing in the State. The dept emphasized nature-based tourism, livelihood generation, infrastructure development, and destination bran-ding while aligning its initiatives with national tou-rism policies.

Globally tourism is considered a powerful industry especially for regions rich in nature and culture, as it can bring big benefits with relatively small investments. Tourism in Manipur has been recognized for decades as a powerful tool for economic growth, cultural pride, and social harmony.

Beginning with the Tourism Policy of 2003, the State identified tourism as a "smokeless industry" that could generate income and jobs without the pollution or heavy costs of traditional industries and promote peace.

With its forests, rivers, lakes, mountains, and rich traditions-such as Manipuri dance, martial arts, handloom, handicrafts, and sports such as polo- Manipur has great potential and unique strengths. Yet poverty and limited industrial development made tourism an attractive alternative.

The 2003 Tourism policy focused on creating employment for youth, boosting revenue, empowering communities, promo- ting Manipur's image globally as welcoming destina- tion. To encourage growth, the policy offered subsidies, tax exemptions, and incentives for hotels, resorts, amusement parks, and homestays, while also promoting crafts and cultural events.

Overall, the vision for Manipur's tourism is to make it inclusive, sustainable, and globally compe- titive, where Government and private sector working together to turn its natural and cultural wealth into long-term prosperity. In the mid 2000s strategy phase, Manipur thought more systematically for development of tourism.

The guiding principles focussed the "Three Es"-Economics, Environment, and Ethos-ensuring growth to be profitable, eco-friendly, and respectful of local values. Using Greenwood's model of tourism development, Manipur identified itself as being in the early "discovery" stage, which meant it had the chance to shape tourism carefully before risks like environ- mental damage or social conflict set in.

For encouraging local participation and entrepreneurship, the strategy employed was people centric, where the government acted as a promoter and regulator. This stage proved Manipur's intention for a holistic tourism plan by combining infrastructure, culture, and community participation.

To make Manipur a world-class tourist destination by 2030 , utilising the State's strategic position as the "Gateway to South-East Asia" under India's Act East Policy, the Manipur Tourism Policy 2022 provided a roadmap with a vision to use tourism for economic growth as well as also for cultural preservation, community empowerment, and global recognition.

The guiding idea is that visitors should "see, feel, and admire" Manipur, while locals benefit from jobs, income, and pride in their heritage. The State wants visitors to feel welcomed with the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava (Guest is God).

The main goals of Manipur Tourism Policy 2022 are to make tourism safe and enjoyable, improve infrastructure, and raise tourism's share in the State economy to 5% of GDP by 2030.

Tourism will also create jobs and highlight unique experiences by promoting niche tourism like WWII heritage tours, polo-tourism, eco-tourism, crafts and textiles tourism and expe- riential travel thus aiming at increase in both domestic and international tourist arrivals and position Manipur as an all season destination that appeals to all age groups and backgrounds.

The policy is built on five pillars guided by principles of sustainability, inclusivity -ensuring tourism benefits local communities including marginalized groups while protecting nature and culture.

From laying foundations in 2003 Manipur Tourism journey has evolved to ambitious infrastructure and cultural projects in the mid-2000s to a globally com- petitive vision in 2022 aiming for 2030, Manipur's tourism journey ensures that Manipur's natural and cultural wealth is transformed into a vibrant, inclusive, and world class tourism industry, the development strategies combine infrastructure, community empowerment, cultural promotion, niche tourism, digital innovation, and sustainability Manipur's tourism strategy based on the foundation that growth must balance economics, environment. (and ethos-meaning income be created without harming nature or cultural values.

The State is still in infancy of tourism development, provided it a chance to be carved carefully. The plan is people centric, i.e. encouraging community participation and entrepreneurship, when the Government acts as a facilitator by ensuring eco-friendly practices with hygiene and safety.

Key iniatives include a strong tourism policy, advisory councils, improved administration, and tourist permits easing travel restrictions. Infrastructure projects such as new rail systems, airport upgrades, bypass roads, better utilities, and waste management will ensure travel safer and comfortable. Tourism hubs with services like food, transport, cultural shows, and handicraft shops be developed, with the upgradation of the heritage sites like Moirang.

Special projects may include creating eco parks, cultural institutes, and even a Japanese themed village to attract international visitors. Adventure sports, water activities, and festivals will add excitement, while handloom and handicrafts will be promoted as tourism products linked to local livelihood and industries.

As, human resource development is central-training youth in guiding, hospitality, languages, cultural management, and adventure tourism can help them leading enterprises and create jobs. Overall, tourism strategy's focus is a sustainable and inclusive Manipur tourism , that is a driver of both economic growth and cultural pride.

Artificial Intelligence in Tourism

The growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in tourism is signified through the World Tourism Day (27th September) 2026 theme, viz. "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism".

AI can influence destinations managment, locating and experiencing destinations, at the same time local communities can derive profit from tourism. UN Tourism focusses on using technology and digital transformation and supports the UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development Goals

The use of digital technology and AI in tourism can help achieve a number of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) especially SDGs 8, 11, and 12. SDG 8 is about Decent Work and Economic Growth.AI can automate routine tasks like bookings, customer support, and administrative work.

This could enable tourism professionals to concentrate more on unique cultural experiences, hospitality and community-based initiatives. With the help of digital tools small businesses, rural homestays, local guides and other micro-entrepreneurs can directly market their services to larger markets.

Translation and AI-based marketing tools can help small tourism businesses by reducing some of their barriers. SDG 11 is about Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Destinations can better manage tourism with the help of digital systems. For reducing overcrowding at popular cultural and natural sites, availability of real-time data on visitor numbers, transport and movement patterns can help distribute tourists more evenly. While taking into account the needs of locals, smart transport and other digital infrastructure can also help manage tourism pressure.

SDG 12 is about Responsible Consumption and Production. AI and smart technologies can help tourism companies make better use of their resources. Hotels and eco-resorts can use digital systems to track energy; food travel affects the environment encouraging them to select less harmful modes of transportation and lodging.

Redesigning Tourism

The 2026 theme therefore extends the discussion beyond simply adopting new technology. It emphasizes on redesigning tourism aiming to support sustainable destinations, respon- sible tourism, decent work and greater benefits for local communities. by use of AI and digital transformation .

Practical Application of Digital Transformation and AI to Tourism in Manipur

The concepts of digital transformation and AI in Manipur, especially in community-based and nature- based travel destinations can benefit tourism development. by enhancing destination management and visitor information, thus digital platforms can help local communities promote their tourism products.

Digital platforms can be used by women-led homestays, self-help groups, weavers, handicraft producers, local food entrepreneurs to advertise their products and services directly to tourists. AI- aided translation and digital marketing can help local business owners reach new markets and interact with tourists from other areas.

This can support SDG (Gender Equality) and SDG (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by facilitating opportunities for women's employment, entrepreneurship and income generation. Digital visitor-management systems at destinations such as Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, and community- managed cultural or sacred sites, could.

Provide information on visitor numbers, sensitive areas, waste management and local transport. These systems could facilitate visitor distribution, reduce pressure on ecologically sensitive locations and improve the visitor experience. This would help achieve SDG (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG (Life on Land).

AI can also be used to develop digital destination guides that offer details on regional customs, cuisine, handi-crafts, biodiversity, and ethical travel practices. For Mani-pur, such a system could encourage tourists to respect local cultural and environmental practices and provide greater visibility of local knowledge and community- based tourism products.

Thus, rather than focusing on technology for its own sake, the practical application of the 2026 digital tourism theme in Manipur should focus on technology that helps local communities . Digital tools and AI can enhance destination management, facili- tate the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources and link tourists with local businesses.

With appropriate training, digital access and community participation, women and local communities can actively participate in the digital transformation of Manipur tourism. It remains to be seen how the 2026 "Redesigning Tourism" approach can be translated into local action-using AI and digital tools to make tourism more inclusive.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the ethnic conflict in Manipur severely disrupted the state's tourism industry. These crises impacted peace and stability of the State, by restricting people's free movement, impacted adversely the economic activity and tourist mobility.

In order to revitalize tourism and increase its contribution to the state's local economy, restoring peace, enhancing connectivity, and boosting visitor confidence are important.