Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who is currently on a tour to the country’s financial capital Mumbai, is putting all efforts to woo film makers and tourists to visit Arunachal Pradesh. Ever since he assumed the office of Chief Minister in 2016, Khandu has been making sincere attempt to promote state in global platform. These are praiseworthy efforts which will definitely have positive impact on promotion of tourism sector in the state. Arunachal Pradesh is blessed with enchanting natural beauty. However, the state is yet to fully realize its tourism potential.
In the past, several governments highlighted the need to tap the tourism potential of the state. But Chief Minister Pema Khandu has taken it to another level and is personally making effort to market tourism potential of Arunachal Pradesh. In all probability these attempts will pay off in the long run.
Now the question remains, is the state ready to welcome the inflow of tourist in large scale. First of all, barring few districts, in major parts of state the road conditions are in pathetic shape. Secondly, lack of accommodations and poor health care facilities may put off the tourists. Last but the most significant point is that the local population will have to be tourist friendly. Apart from districts like Tawang, West Kameng, Namsai, Lower Subansiri and East Siang, the tourists are still reluctant to visit other parts of state. Several incidents of the unfortunate attack on tourists have been reported from various districts. Before inviting outsiders the state government should first conduct large scale awareness programme to educate the masses. Until local people develop tourist- friendly attitude all the efforts of Chief Minister to market Arunachal as tourism destination will never fully succeed.