Archive · 2 Jan 2026
OTT Shows Boost North East Tourism
In 2025, many people started traveling to places in the North East of India because they saw them in popular TV shows on streaming services.
Cities like Dimapur and Agartala saw a lot more people booking flights to visit.
Young travelers are especially interested in experiencing the local culture and communities rather than just visiting famous landmarks.
This trend isn't just in the North East; smaller cities all over India are also becoming more popular as travel destinations.
Experts say this shows that people's travel choices are changing, and they are more interested in learning about different cultures and having unique experiences.
OTT shows like Paatal Lok Season 2 and The Family Man Season 3 have driven a surge in travel to North Eastern states.
Dimapur saw a 77% rise in flight bookings, followed by Agartala at 48%, Guwahati and Imphal at 44%, and Itanagar at 42%.
Young travelers are seeking culturally rich and less commercialized destinations, engaging with local communities and food habits.
Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities like Rishikesh, Indore, Nagpur, Bhopal, and Lucknow are also seeing increased travel demand.
Improved infrastructure and connectivity have made shorter, more frequent trips viable, with metro-to-emerging city bus routes seeing 80% year-on-year growth.
- Who
- Young travellers and residents of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
- What
- Increased flight bookings and travel to North Eastern states and smaller cities
- When
- 2025
- Where
- North Eastern states (Dimapur, Agartala, Guwahati, Imphal, Itanagar) and Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities (Rishikesh, Indore, Nagpur, Bhopal, Lucknow)
- Why
- Influence of OTT shows like Paatal Lok Season 2 and The Family Man Season 3, and a shift towards experiential and culture-led travel
- Dimapur
- 77% rise in flight bookings
- Agartala
- 48% rise in flight bookings
- Guwahati
- 44% rise in flight bookings
- Imphal
- 44% rise in flight bookings
- Itanagar
- 42% rise in flight bookings
- Metro-to-emerging city bus routes
- 80% year-on-year growth