International tourism mart opens in Guwahati

The tourism ministry has organised a three-day international tourism mart in Guwahati in a bid to open up the unexplored destinations of the North East to tourists.

The event is being attended by 85 delegates from 23 countries, including ASEAN countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Japan, Korea, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, the UK and the US.

Overseas delegates include deputy tourism minister from Lao PDR, executive heads of national tourism organisations from Cambodia, Singapore, Bangladesh and Bhutan, 55 tour operators, 9 hoteliers and 14 media representatives.

Speaking on the occasion union tourism minister K Chiranjeevi said there was overwhelming response to the trade mart.

He said the centre has invested Rs560 crore for developing tourism in the North East during the 11th Plan period but the region is yet to be a major tourist destination.

Addressing a press conference after inaugurating the first international tourism mart, Chiranjeevi said the North East region has immense untapped tourism potential and the sector will be developed into an institution with investment by the centre very soon.

''We have to develop quality infrastructure and the main focus should be on adventure tourism,'' Chiranjeevi, who is on his maiden visit to the state, said.

''We have identified hotel management projects in these states and the unused airports and helipads will be made operational soon to promote tourism,'' he said.

The ministry of tourism releases domestic television campaigns besides providing space on complimentary basis to the states in the country's pavilions in major international travel fairs.

The ministry has also launched promotional campaigns on themes 'Find What You Seek' and 'Go Beyond' to help promote the diverse and lesser known destinations of different regions, he said.