Northeast govt taking steps to promote tourism

The northeastern region has tremendous potential to become a tourism hub, be it through its natural beauty, rich biodiversity or diverse cultures, the region has a lot to offer.

With the gradual return of peace and normalcy, the government is now taking steps to promote tourism in the area.

Recently, a three-day-long Travel and Tourism Mart was organized in Guwahati to promote the tourism sector of the northeast.

Twenty five participants from the country and foreign countries like China and Thailand set up information centre stalls at the fair.

The event gave a chance to the tourism departments and tour operators from the northeastern states to project the region as a potential tourist destination, as well as interact with participants from other parts of the country.

"The northeast is high on the priority list of the tourism ministry under the Government of India. That is why every year we are organizing International Tourism Mart in the northeastern states," said Sanjay Shreevats, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Tourism.

"We have organized it in Guwahati and Tawang, the next one will be in Shillong. The main purpose is to facilitate the growth of the tourism sector in the Northeast. We have invited the media and tour operators from different countries so that they can see the Northeast and tell the entire world about the potential that the region has because of its diversity - in terms of music, food and culture," he added.

"Guwahati is growing. Guwahati is a big potential tourism city it covers the whole 7-8 northeast states so when we do tourism activity here then we get lots of opportunity to promote tourism," said Vikash, an ornaniser.

"Our main reason to participate here is to give awareness to the people that Mizoram is a tourist destination. By interacting or by participating with the people of other country or other state of the country will give more awareness to the people," added Tluangi, Tourism official, Mizoram.

As tourism grows, the region will reap multiple benefits - infrastructure will improve, better ties will be forged with the rest of the country, more investments will flow in, and new job opportunities will be created that will reduce the unemployment in the region.

The growth of the tourism sector will pave way for greater socio-economic development of the region.