Northeast Flight Bookings Soar: How OTT Content is Driving India’s New Tourism Boom

Published on December 27, 2025

In 2025, the “silver screen” is no longer just for entertainment; it has become a powerful digital travel agent. From the misty hills of Nagaland to the sun-drenched valleys of Manipur, India’s Northeast is experiencing an unprecedented surge in tourism, and the catalyst is surprising: OTT Content.

According to the “Great Indian Travel Index 2025” by ixigo, flight bookings to several Northeastern cities have skyrocketed as binge-worthy web series bring the region’s raw beauty and rich culture directly into living rooms across the globe.

For years, the Northeast was considered a niche destination for intrepid trekkers. But as we move through late 2025, a fascinating shift has occurred. Travel is being driven by narrative. Shows like The Family Man (Season 3), Paatal Lok (Season 2), and Delhi Crime (Season 3) have done more than just entertain—they have showcased the region’s lush landscapes and unfiltered settings as primary characters.

The data speaks for itself. The ixigo report highlights staggering Year-on-Year (YoY) growth in flight bookings to previously under-the-radar cities:

• Dimapur (Nagaland): +77% increase
• Agartala (Tripura): +48% increase
• Imphal (Manipur): +44% increase
• Guwahati (Assam): +44% increase
• Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh): +42% increase

Why OTT is Winning Where Brochures Failed

Traditional travel advertisements often feel curated and distant. In contrast, OTT content offers an authentic lens. When viewers watch Srikant Tiwari navigate the streets of Nagaland or witness the atmospheric tension of the Assam-set plots in Delhi Crime, they aren’t just seeing a backdrop; they are experiencing a vibe.

“People are no longer just looking for a holiday; they are looking for a story,” says a travel analyst. “The ‘Gatorade blue’ waters of the South are losing ground to the ‘Moody Greens’ of the East. Travelers want to walk the same suspension bridges and visit the same local markets they saw on their favorite streaming platform.”

The Economic Ripple Effect

This isn’t just a win for airlines. The surge in bookings is revitalizing the local hospitality sector:

• Homestay Growth: Travelers are shunning standard hotels for authentic tribal homestays, particularly in the Ziro Valley and the South West Khasi Hills.
• Infrastructure Surge: To keep up with the demand, branded hotel capacity in the region is set to nearly double by 2030, with over 3,000 new rooms currently in the pipeline.
• Tier 2 & 3 Dominance: Emerging cities are now shaping India’s travel narrative, with bus routes from metros to these towns seeing growth of nearly 80%.

A Partnership for the Future

The trend is so significant that it has caught the attention of the government. On World Tourism Day 2025, the Ministry of Tourism signed a landmark MoU with Netflix to promote Indian destinations through cinematic storytelling. This “Cinematic Tourism” model aims to highlight cultural assets and heritage sites, ensuring that the next viral hit also brings sustainable revenue to local communities.

Humanizing the Journey: The Traveler’s Perspective

For travelers like 28-year-old Ananya from Mumbai, the decision was simple. “I watched The Family Man and was mesmerized by the visuals of the Northeast. I booked a flight to Dimapur the next morning. It didn’t feel like I was visiting a ‘tourist spot’; it felt like I was entering a world I already felt connected to.”

This connection is what defines travel in 2025. It is emotional, visual, and deeply influenced by the stories we consume. The Northeast is no longer “hidden”—it is finally center stage.