ATDC focuses on home stay, river cruise for tourism

"This year we have an investment plan of Rs two crore for promoting the concept of home stay. A number of locations have been identified for implementing the scheme," ATDC Managing Director Anurag Singh told reporters here today.

"The idea behind the concept is to provide foreigners an opportunity to stay with local families and have a first-hand experience of local tradition, culture, and cuisines," he said.

There was also a plan to give a boost to local economy in places like Majuli Island, Kaziranga, Pobitora and other popular destinations besides promoting places which did not feature in the known tourism circuit, he said.

ATDC is also taking up infrastructure development of ghats and jetties along the Brahmaputra River. "The Brahmaputra being the lifeline of Assam, we are giving special attention to develop the river cruise circuit," Singh said.

He said tickets for a Brahmaputra river cruise on the M V Mahabaahu, country's biggest cruise ship launched in April, was fully booked for the next two and half years. (MORE)