Centre to give big push for tourism in north east

The region is known for its mountains, wildlife, tea estates and tribal culture

Public concerns over safety and lack of promotion has kept north eastern states out of average tourists' radar but things could change soon with the central government stepping up efforts. The tourism ministry is giving a push to tourism in the region inviting tourism ministers from South East Asia and over hundred tour operators from India and abroad for a travel mart at  Guwahati next week.

"The main aim is to change perception about North East. Business will follow. We do not expect magic to happen,'' said Anurag Singh, managing director of Assam Tourism Development Corporation. Infrastructure has improved and restrictions like requirement of permits are being eased but the region known for its mountains, wildlife, tea estates and tribal culture gets few tourists from abroad and even within the country.

 

"All states have some problem or other. Even we have a few problems but these are not serious enough to impact tourism. It is very safe here,'' Singh added asserting that advisories by foreign embassies have also created negative perception cautioning their citizens about travel to these states. "Foreign tour operators will see the reality for themselves,'' he added.

Currently none of the North East states do not make into the top ten recipients of domestic and foreign tourists. According to ministry of tourism's data of 2011 Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu account for over 50% of domestic tourists while Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi get highest number of foreign tourists.

Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh received over 15 crore domestic tourists in 2011. Gujarat which was number ten in the ranking received over two crore visitors in same year. Maharashtra received 4.8 crore foreign tourists which was the highest amongst all states while Himachal Pradesh which was number ten in ranking received 48 lakh foreign tourists.

In contrast Assam had 43 lakh domestic tourists and 16,000 foreign visitors in 2011. Other states such as Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunchal Pradesh and Tripura collectively received around 12-14 lakh domestic tourists. Number of foreign tourists in these states was negligible

"Over the last couple of years travel to the North East has grown with encouragement of the local governments. The central government’s decision to allow staff to avail of LTC facilties to travel to the North East also encouraged people to visit the states. Air connectivity is weak and we require more flights to these region,'' said Arup Sen, director (special projects) of Cox & Kings.

Gour Kanjilal, executive director of Indian Association of Tour Operators said "North East region need not depend on US and Europe alone for tourists and regional travel circuit  can be developed to encourage visitors from South East Asia. The tour operators  could focus on four B's' - Bengal, Bhutan, Burma and Bangladesh,'' he said. "Government has been making efforts to promote tourism. Special counters of North East states are on display at India pavillions in international travel fairs but the Guwahati event is first of its kind and the biggest initiative of the government to promote tourism in the region,'' he said.