Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre
New Delhi, May 08:
Having recognised that tourism development will have a multiplier effect on the economy of the North Eastern States and also in generating substantial employment in the region, both the Ministry of Development for North Eastern Region (Doner) and the Ministry of Tourism have been taking up specific initiatives in the NE Region.
Review of tourism sector projects by the Ministry of Tourism on July 3 last year in Guwahati and on April 10 this year in New Delhi gave an impetus to the implementation of tourism related infrastructure projects.
The recently concluded 4th sectoral summit of the NEC to review 'Tourism and the Hospitality Sector' at Gangtok (April 27-28) was a landmark summit that could come out with the 'Gangtok Declaration on Tourism and the Hospitality Sector'.
Sources from the Ministry of DoNER said the Ministry of Home Affairs also carried out an intensive review in consultation with the States on April 24 this year and decided that proposals received from some of the States for relaxation of Protected Area Permit/ Restricted Area Permit would be processed within the next 15 days.
Representative of Assam Government stated that they would not support re-imposition of any restrictions, which were lifted in the State in 1995.At the Gangtok Summit, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni announced establishment of one Institute of Hotel Management in each States of North Eastern Region that do not have any such institutions.
The major conclusions arrived at during the Gangtok Summit were to formulate of State Tourism Circuits, Inter-State Tourism Circuits, Eco and Village Tourism and Advocacy; formulate and launch a professionally prepared publicity programme on security for tourists in the North-East; sponsor NE promotional films aimed at students in other parts of the country; explore setting up a North-East Tourism Development Corporation; launch dedicated airline for establishing connectivity within the NE States; provide connectivity with Nepal, Bhutan, Dhaka, Yangoon, Bangkok, Kunming etc.
for promotion of regional tourism; organise promotional events at different locations in the country aimed at government servants for LTC visits to tourism destinations in the NE; expedite issue of appropriate orders for relaxation of PAP/RAP restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals into Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim based on inputs given by the States.
States of Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh also emphasised on considering simplification of procedures for issuance of ILPs so that government employees may access these States on production of official identity proof.
The summit agreed that each State would draw up annual and perspective State Plans for Intra�State Tourism and Multi-State Tourism.
based on these Plans, Ministries of DoNER and Tourism would draw up plans for development and promotion of Pan Regional and International Tourism.