Tawang set to host tourism mart in Oct

Arunachal Pradesh's religious town Tawang, bordering China, will host the second edition of International Tourism Mart (ITM) scheduled to be held from October 18.
A high-level delegation comprising Additional Director General (East) A K Gupta, Mamta Kochar, North East Director of the Union Tourism Ministry, and ITD,C-GM V P Bhatia called on Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Minister Pema Khandu at Tawang recently to express their satisfaction over the town being the venue for the ITM this year.
"The delegation has finalised the programme and venue for the three-day mega tourism event at Tawang which would be attended by 150 foreign delegates besides delegates from all the North Eastern states and West Bengal," state Tourism secretary Sonam Chombay said.

"We need at least two choppers to bring the delegates from Guwahati to Tawang as the road condition between Bhalukpong and Tawang is bad. We have asked the state government to place two choppers otherwise it will be not possible to organise the event," Khandu said.
Chombay, who also hold the charge of civil aviation department, however, said that the department would float tender this month for Naharlagun-Guwahati-Tawang helicopter service, which would resume on finalisation of the process while the Global Vectra would be recalled after clearing the outstanding bills and approval of the home ministry.
The eight-seater Global Vectra service has been withdrawn for non-payment of huge outstanding bills while the Naharlagun-Guwahati-Tawang helicopter service was discontinued long back.

"We have also requested the Pawan Hans Limited to place two choppers at the disposal of the state government for the ITM even if the tender process could not be materialised in time," Chombay added.
On Protected Area Permit (PAP), a hindrance of foreign tourists, Chombay said it has been relaxed and will given the same day while online Inner Line Permit (ILP) will be issued soon for easy flow of tourists.