ITM paves way for the North East
At the inaugural of the 2nd edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) in Tawang on Oct 18, Arunachal Pradesh (AP) CM Nabam Tuki said that they are in talks for a proposed highway connecting AP with SE Asian countries.
The North East is a ‘Paradise Unexplored’. With these words, Tuki opened the 2nd International Tourism Mart (ITM) at Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh on October 18. Tuki said that the North East has a huge tourism potential that is yet to be tapped. He said that top priority is to be given to promoting tourism sector as it also has great potential to generate self employment, while enriching the state exchequer. Tuki said that the region is a treasure trove of natural beauty inhabited by over 150 major and minor tribes with their rich culture, art and crafts and tribal cuisines which offer huge scope for the growth of tourism.
Tuki also informed that they are in talks with the Centre for a proposed highway through the Stillwell road connecting Arunachal Pradesh with South East Asian countries. Speaking at the inaugural function of the second edition of three-day International Tourism Mart, the Chief Minister said the
Holding of the ITM reflected the government’s commitment to promote tourism in North East India, in AP and Tawang in particular
highway will herald growth of international trade and tourism and be a harbinger of bilateral relations among the nations of South East Asia and North East India.
Parvez Dewan, Secretary, MOT said that holding of the ITM in Tawang reflected the commitment of the government to promote tourism in Northeast India, and in Arunachal Pradesh and Tawang in particular. Dewan said that India records 105 crore domestic tourists and 65 lakh foreign tourists annually, yielding a revenue of US$ 18 billion from foreigners, which amounted to 6.5 per cent of the national GDP, besides generating about 10% direct or indirect employment.
Later, the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister inaugurated an exhibition in which the nine participating states - Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim and West Bengal - showcased their tourist potential, traditional, cultural, art and craft uniqueness. The Sikkim Tourism Minister
Bhim Dhungel, Nagaland Tourism Minister EE
Pangteang, Arunachal's Tourism Parliamentary Secretary PD Sona, Art and Culture Parliamentary Secretary Tsewang Dhondup and Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs department chairman
TG Rinpoche and top ranking officers were present on the occasion. The inaugural function was followed by a PowerPoint presentation of nine participating states to highlight their respective tourism scope.
The state is in talks with the Centre for a proposed highway through the Stillwell road connecting AP with South East Asian countries
Nabam Tuki
CM, Arunachal Pradesh
This is the second International Tourism Mart to be organised in the North Eastern region with the objective of highlighting the tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets. It brings together the tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from the eight Northeastern States of India and West Bengal. The event has been planned and scheduled to facilitate interaction between buyers, sellers, media, Government agencies and others.
Besides the foreign delegates, domestic buyers from other parts of the country and sellers from the North Eastern States and West Bengal also participated in the Mart. In addition to the business meetings, the threeday event included presentations, cultural evenings and visits to local attractions in and around Tawang.
Post-Mart familiarisation tours to the states in the region were arranged by the State Governments for the overseas delegates from October 21-27. Foreign delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam participated at the ITM.