Tourism can help Arunachal to develop economically: Khandu

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that tourism is the only sector after hydro power that could help the state to develop economically.

Speaking at the 12th Arunachal Pradesh Tour Operators' Association (APTOA) Travel Congress here yesterday, Khandu said after hydro power, tourism holds maximum potential.

"We need to concentrate on our next viable potential sector, which is undoubtedly tourism," he said.

Lauding APTOA, a conglomerate of local tour operators of the state, Khandu said the tourism sector has grown exponentially in the last couple of years due to their sincere efforts.

Despite increase in the number of tourists, the state is way behind the national average and has to work much more, Khandu said.

"We can attract tourists more than what we are doing right now," he said.

The chief minister also called upon the state tourism department authorities to finalise the draft of the state tourism policy that will chalk out a roadmap for the sector to grow.

He also announced a corpus fund of Rs 1 crore for APTOA to take up various initiatives for its growth.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju speaking on the occasion emphasised on projecting and promoting Arunachal Pradesh as a cultural tourism hotspot.

"Arunachal Pradesh has got everything to satisfy the taste of every visitor," he said.