Rural tourism in NE to get focus

In an effort to boost tourism, the Centre has drawn up plans to promote rural and remote destinations  in the picturesque and tribal-dominated Northeast.

Union Tourism Secretary Uma Pillai, who was on a visit to Northeast states along with a group of eight top-bracket tour operators belonging to Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), India chapter, stated that the unique tribal and rural settings in the region had the potential to attract tourists. She informed that the Union Ministry of Tourism would allocate more than the stipulated 10 per cent of its budget for development of destinations in the NE states during the current financial year.

In the current financial year, the ministry has so far released Rs 905.52 lakh for Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 705.69 lakh for Assam, Rs 41.22 lakh for Manipur, Rs 376.81 lakh for Mizoram, Rs 981.2 lakh for Nagaland, Rs 487.59 lakh or Sikkim and Rs 344.08 lakh for Tripura for different ongoing and new projects.The official who had visited different destinations in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya during the trip underlined the need for improving tourism infrastructure like accommodation facilities and connectivity in the region to increase the flow of tourists.

Regarding the effect of tsunami on the country's tourism sector, the official informed that it had hardly any effect barring extensive damage to a Tamil Nadu government-run resort at Mahabalipuram. She said cancellation of bookings were minimal and driven by sentimental concerns as some of the tourists from European countries thought it prudent not to visit the tsunami-affected areas this year out of respect for those who suffered in the tragedy.

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