World Tourism Day
NAMSAI, Sep 27: Addressing the World Tourism Day celebrations in Namsai on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that the state government is giving high priority to tourism and has increased the allocation to the Tourism Department from Rs 16 crore to Rs 100 crore from this financial year.
Speaking on state governments initiatives in tourism, the Chief Minister said that the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana has been specifically launched targeting this sector.
Attending the day-long celebration at the campus of Arunachal University of Studies, the Chief Minister also suggested the department to take on board tour operators while framing policies and programmes.
Pema also lauded the initiative of Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein for hosting the celebration here in a grand manner and hoped that with such initiatives, eastern parts of Arunachal would catch up with western Arunachal in tourism industry.
Highlighting on major challenges to tourism industry in the state, the Chief Minister cited lack of proper connectivity as the main hurdle. He said lack of awareness among locals for promotion of tourism also caused hindrances to tourism industry.
On connectivity, the Chief Minister said that the centre is giving big push for connectivity, with plans to connect all foothills in the state with railway network. He also informed that the centre is likely to ‘okay’ the proposal for frontier highway very soon.
The Chief Minister said the state has seen steep rise in tourist inflow every year, which during the previous year accounted for four lakh domestic tourists and 6000 foreign tourists. He, however, discouraged such tourists who makes no positive contribution and suggested that the state should go for high-end tourism.
Earlier, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said no matter how good policies may be with regard to tourism, its success rests in the hands of the people.
Deputy Chief Minister also called for planned infrastructure development in the state to provide affordable accommodations and comfortable transportation for the tourists.
He also gave emphasis on creation of clean and hygienic atmosphere for the tourists and their safety.
“Let them feel safe and secure during their visit to any part of the state,” he said.
Mein said that the need of the hour is to convert the enormous tourism potential into income generating activities and as an employment creating avenues. He also stressed on promotion and marketing of finished products of handlooms and handicrafts to the outside world and cited cultural tourism as one of the largest and fastest growing global tourism markets.
During the celebration, Chief Minister and Union Minister felicitated Everester Tine Mena and Anshu Janshempa respectively.
The Chief Minister earlier inaugurated the laboratory block of the AUS and Union Minister Rijiju laid the foundation for the residential block.
Tourism Parliamentary Secretary, P D Sona, Tax & Excise Parliamentary Secretary, Zingnu Namchoom, Tourism Secretary, Dr Joram Beda also gave their inputs.
The celebration was also attended by Speaker T N Thongdok, state BJP President Tapir Gao, cabinet ministers Kamlung Mossang, Alo Libang, Dr Mohesh Chai, besides other legislators and officials.
The World Tourism Day was celebrated at Namsai amidst the gathering of participants, cultural troupes and tour operators from all over the state, who joined in on the range of activities scheduled for the day.
