By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 7: DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday said the Northeast can leverage its rich heritage and natural beauty to drive sustainable development, boost local economies and generate employment.
Addressing the first “High Level Task Force” meeting on tourism which was chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Scindia stressed that the tourism model of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and other South Asian countries should be studied to build a model that further boosts the Northeast’s tourism potential.
The Task Force was constituted by the DoNER Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism in the aftermath of the 72nd plenary of the North Eastern Council held at Agartala, Tripura, in November last year.
Headed by the chief minister, the Task Force will study the tourism potential of the Northeast, suggest interventions, identify strategic gaps and recommend a roadmap for comprehensive development of the tourism sector of the region.
The meeting was also attended by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and officials of state and central governments.
Sangma said tourists, both domestic and international, identify the Northeast as one and it is imperative that the states work in close coordination to facilitate tourism.
He lauded the DoNER Minister for taking up the initiative to constitute the Task Force, terming it as a landmark intervention to boost tourism in the region. He said the Northeast has come up with industrial policies, and is paving the way for industrial growth.
The Tripura Chief Minister spoke about the interventions his state made to promote tourism, including presenting unique cuisines of the Northeast.
The Sikkim Chief Minister spoke at length on tourism interventions and the flow of tourists to the state. He called for the promotion of the region through consistent marketing and branding. He sought collaboration among all states of the region to facilitate tourism.
As part of the interventions, a tourism circuit will be identified in each of the eight states to attract both domestic and international tourists to the region.
