Rural tourism in NE emphasized
Guwahati, May 11 (TEN): Major emphasis will be given on rural tourism in the Northeast, disclosed Union Secretary, Tourism, S Benerjee, on Sunday.
Addressing media persons here, Benerjee said the basic objective of rural tourism was to showcase the way of life in the villages. A pilot project would also be launched to encourage rural tourism in Northeast, he added.
“Government is quite convinced of the value of the tourist destinations in Northeast and during the 10th Plan Rs.319 crore has been released for the infrastructure in the tourism sector of the region. During 2007-08 Rs.169 crore has been released by government in this sector for the Northeast,” the Union Tourism secretary informed. Stressing on proper utilization of funds, he said apart from releasing funds, government was also evaluating utilization.
Commenting on the restraints of tourism sector in the region, Benerjee highlighted that there was a need to improve the connectivity in the Northeast to access the places. He also stressed on the problem of accommodation due to shortage of hotels.
Commenting on Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Northeast, he said, “We want less restriction in this part of the country to encourage tourism. We are trying to ease the restrictions.” Stressing on the potentiality of hospitality industry in this part of the country, he informed that three Institutes of Hotel Management in Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and one Food Craft Institute in Assam had been established during 2007. The region has tremendous potentiality in hospitality industry, Benerjee said.
He informed that in 2006, 4.46 million foreign tourists had visited India out of which .38 million visited Northeast including Sikkim. Benerjee urged the States to keep an annual calendar of the fairs and festivals, which are organized to promote tourism in the Northeast.
The Union Tourism Secretary was here in connection with the North East Tourism Meet where he reviewed the tourism scenario of the region. The State Secretaries of Tourism of the Northeast also participated in the meet.
Addressing media persons here, Benerjee said the basic objective of rural tourism was to showcase the way of life in the villages. A pilot project would also be launched to encourage rural tourism in Northeast, he added.
“Government is quite convinced of the value of the tourist destinations in Northeast and during the 10th Plan Rs.319 crore has been released for the infrastructure in the tourism sector of the region. During 2007-08 Rs.169 crore has been released by government in this sector for the Northeast,” the Union Tourism secretary informed. Stressing on proper utilization of funds, he said apart from releasing funds, government was also evaluating utilization.
Commenting on the restraints of tourism sector in the region, Benerjee highlighted that there was a need to improve the connectivity in the Northeast to access the places. He also stressed on the problem of accommodation due to shortage of hotels.
Commenting on Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Northeast, he said, “We want less restriction in this part of the country to encourage tourism. We are trying to ease the restrictions.” Stressing on the potentiality of hospitality industry in this part of the country, he informed that three Institutes of Hotel Management in Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and one Food Craft Institute in Assam had been established during 2007. The region has tremendous potentiality in hospitality industry, Benerjee said.
He informed that in 2006, 4.46 million foreign tourists had visited India out of which .38 million visited Northeast including Sikkim. Benerjee urged the States to keep an annual calendar of the fairs and festivals, which are organized to promote tourism in the Northeast.
The Union Tourism Secretary was here in connection with the North East Tourism Meet where he reviewed the tourism scenario of the region. The State Secretaries of Tourism of the Northeast also participated in the meet.
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