GUWAHATI: The North Eastern region has recorded the highest growth in tourism in the country in both foreign and domestic categories and a master plan is on the anvil to develop the sector in the area.

The growth rate in foreign tourist rate in the North East in 2010-11 was 6.09 per cent while in domestic sector the rate was 8.09 per cent compared to the all India rate of 7 per cent, Depa Laskar, Regional Director of union Tourism Ministry told a meeting of tour operators and hospitality sectors.

The number of foreign tourists have increased with the introduction of visa-on-arrival scheme, she said adding the increased figures prove that the region was gradually emerging as a major tourist destination of the country, she said.

The tour operators urged the government to provide better facilities and infrastructure to attract more tourists and help in the region’s development.(PTI)