North East India is a paradise unexplored: Tuki

Northeast India known as 'the Paradise Unexplored' is indeed a destination with huge tourism potential that is yet to be tapped of its true potential, said Chief Minister Nabam Tuki in his inaugural address earlier.

"With such diversity not only in its geography but also in our way of life, Northeast India has a lot to offer to any tourist visiting this part of the country. We have some inherent qualities such as our hospitality, festivities and while love for music and culture in our blood, which, if capitalized professionally can attract a lot of tourists," Tuki told the foreign delegates and over 100 delegates from eight North East states and West Bengal besides a battery of media persons and travel writers including from aboard.

Lauding union tourism ministry for its decision to hold the ITM exclusively to promote the North East India as a favoured tourist destination, he said that ITM will ultimately help achieve the goal to project NE as the most sought after destination of the world.

"We have some inherent qualities such as our hospitality, festivities and while love for music and culture in our blood, which, if capitalized professionally can attract a lot of tourists," Tuki said, adding NE India is a treasure house for adventure seekers - mountaineering, trekking, white water rafting, angling. You name it, we have it all here. For nature enthusiasts, NE India being the one of the last green zones of the world, its biodiversity is unparalleled while numerous tribes have unique culture. Come to NE India and you will find what you seek," he said.

Referring to the top priority to promotion of the tourism sector for having potential to generate massive self employment avenues while enriching the state exchequer, he said that this Himalayan state is a treasure trove of natural beauty inhabited by over 150 major and minor hospitable tribes with their rich cultural mosaic, art and crafts, tribal cuisines which offer huge scope for the growth of tourism.

"You have come as strangers and I am sure you would go back as friends' Tuki said with confidence.

Appreciating the hospitable people of Tawang whose positive attitude has resulted in massive flow of tourists to this far off land against all odds. The innovative home stay facility and promotion of religious tourism besides the unmatched scenic beauty deserve applause, he appealed to the people of Tawang to maintain the spirit to make it a model for the country.

Tawang is still unpolluted which had prompted the famous magazine, Lonely Planet to identify it as 'Last of the Great Shangrilas', said Tourism Minister Pema Khandu, adding that the ITM would serve as a platform for the tourism buyers and sellers. He hoped that it would serve its purpose and exhorted every delegate to make the best use of it besides attending the Tawang Festival from tomorrow to showcase the rich cultural heritage of this unexplored land.

Union Additional Tourism Secretary Girish Shankar pointed out that conducting the ITM-2013 in Tawang was the decision of Union Tourism Minister Chiranjeevi and the state government was the first to volunteer to host the event.

Three states have offered to host the 3rd ITM, he said, adding the events organized by the union ministry aimed at showcasing the region's huge tourism potential to the world to woo tourists.

Later, Tuki inaugurated an exhibition of an exhibition of nine participating Indian states showcasing their tourist potential, traditional, cultural, art and craft uniqueness.

Sikkim Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel, Nagaland Tourism Minister E E Pangteang, Arunachal's Tourism Parliamentary Secretary PD Sona, Art and Culture Parliamentary Secretary Tsewang Dhondup and Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs department chairman Rev T G Rinpoche and top ranking officers, among others were present on the occasion.

Later, Arunachal tourism secretary Sonam Chombay led nine state representatives to highlight their respective tourism scope through PowerPoint presentation.