From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Tourism Dr K Chiranjeevi on Saturday said , “ The Ministry of Tourism will hard sell enchanting North East India as an adventure tourism destination to lure more foreign tourists to the enchanting region.”
“India has emerged as a leading tourist destination with all its varied attractions and arrival of foreign tourists have been increasing, but we need to accelerate the rate of its growth,” Union Minister of state for Tourism (Independent Charge) K Chiranjeevi said.
He pointed out that the ministry had set a target of increasing the share of India in international tourists arrivals from the current 0.6 % (66 lakh) to 1 % (one crore) in the next five years and promoting Northeast India as an adventure tourism destination would help achieving the goal.
He said the recent decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to lift restrictions of the two-month gap on re-entry of foreign nationals coming to India on a tourist visa would also benefit N-E states.
Speaking at the colorful inauguration of the first ever International Tourism Mart with a focus on North East India here, the film star-politician said there would be efforts to promote film tourism in the Northeast.
“We will soon get in touch with the film fraternity of India and abroad to facilitate shooting of films in wonderful destinations in the Northeast in order to promote those,” he said.
The Mart has been organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism in coordination with all the eight Northeastern States including Sikkim and West Bengal that has contiguity with the region.
The inauguration of the event was marked by showcasing the tapestry colourful tribal folk culture and tradition of the region with cultural troupes from all the N-E states enthralling the distinguished gathering and foreign delegates with their superlative performance.
He was enthused by the overwhelming response from international participants, numbering 79 from 23 countries.
Besides the ASEAN and three neighbouring SAARC nations’ representatives, delegates, hoteliers and media representatives from other places like USA, UK, Switzerland, Germany, France and Japan are also attending the event which ends tomorrow. Cambodia and Laos PDR are being represented at the ministerial level at the Mart.
Secretary of Tourism, Government of India, Parvez Dewan said the foreign delegates attending the Mart were being taken on a river cruise along the mighty Brahmaputra River tomorrow followed by elephant ride and rhino sighting at Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary near Guwahati.
They would be taken to tourist destinations in and around Guwahati next day. The technical visits to all the Northeastern states will begin on January 22.
“Depending upon the success of the Mart and quality of follow-up actions taken by all the stake holders including the state government of the region, the event could very well become an annual phenomenon in the region,” Dewan said.