International Tourism Mart will be a turning point for Arunachal tourism

"I'm in Arunachal Pradesh at the invitation of the Indian Tourism office at Paris to promote the North East, particularly Arunchal Pradesh, in tune with the Look East Policy (LEP) of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as well as my promise given to you two years ago to return to the state," said Kolkata-based former French Consul General Jean Louis Guy Luc Rysto, one of the 68 delegates at the International Tourism Mart-2013 (ITM-2013).

"Before my retirement and leaving Kolkata office, I had suggested to my government to have a close look at the LEP, as this undiscovered part of India, with many uniqueness - no more a protected land, existence of India's 90% of mining belt, green belt with numerous orchids, besides attractive sports like Kaziranga in Assam, Water Palace of Tripura, Hornbill festival of Nagaland, Scotland of the East- Shillong, the tribal festivals of each state, to name a few, need to be discovered by the domestic and foreign tourists," he said without mincing any words.

The North East, especially Arunachal Pradesh, has several possibilities despite communication problems, and is the right choice for tourists from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand and China, he said, adding that the love of former state governor J J Singh and chief minister Dorjee Khandu showered on me during my 2010 visit, is unforgettable, he said emotionally, reflecting his love for this land and its people.

"I visited Tawang, one of the 'Last Shangri-La' on earth despite the communication hazard, and am confident that things would improve within few years for facilitating the flow of the tourists," he commented.

"Besides the present Arunachal Government, I'm thankful to Union Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan, Tourism Director Mamta Kochar and the Paris office in charge for making me an ambassador of North East Tourism", he said, adding "I'm visiting Ziro Valley, which I could not visit earlier, to have a first hand experience of one of the most spectacular locations in the world.By Pradeep Kumar

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