SHILLONG, OCT 14: There is a sudden inflow of foreign tourists to militants infested Manipur, one of the eight states in the north east region in a span of one year, officials said on Tuesday.
“About 154 per cent of foreign tourists visits Manipur during 2012 -2013,” union ministry of tourism secretary Parvez Dewan informed reporters during a media conference after the inauguration of the 3rd International Tourism Mart – 2014 held in the city on Tuesday.
The Mart was inaugurated by Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma in the presence of union minister of state (Independent Charge) tourism and culture Sripad Naik.
Manipur is followed by Arunachal Pradesh with 111 per cent, Tripura with 51 per cent, Nagaland – 33 per cent, Meghalaya – 27 per cent, Sikkim – 19 per cent and Mizoram – 9.25 per cent, Dewan said adding the visit of foreign tourists to the north east stands at 27.9 per cent.
In 2013, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) to India stood at 6.97 million with a growth of 5.9 per cent as compared to 6.58 million during 2012.
Dewan also informed that the tourism circuits have also been identified for the eight states.
Earlier, the union minister of state (Independent Charge) tourism and culture Sripad Naik urged all the NE states to utilize the funds sanctioned by the centre in promoting tourism sector in the region, which he said is an unexplored paradise.
According to Naik, a total amount of Rs 3000 crores was sanctioned by the centre for the developing and improving all the national highways and roads which are important infrastructures for creating an impact on the development of tourism and trade.
Stating that tourism is look at as a game changer, Naik said, “The centre is trying to liberate schemes for tapping the maximum potential of tourism in the country including North East region.”
According to Naik, one of the major constraints is connectivity faced by the region.
Inaugurating the Mart, chief minister Mukul Sangma emphasize on the need to develop a mechanism to ensure constant inflow of tourists to the north east region.He said the state government is also making efforts to project Meghalaya as an ideal tourist destination.
“We are focusing on promoting Meghalaya by creating diverse products which are exclusive and unique,” Sangma said while pointing that the state has came up with the Mission Green designed to ensure Meghalaya will become the green and clean state in the country
Sangma also informed that about 20, 000 acres of land have been converted into organic farms by the agriculture department which will offer tourists coming to the state access to food produce from these farms.
Sangma said direction has also been issued to ensure that all hotels serve food sourced from the organic farm.- By Our Reporter
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