By Manoj Kumar Ojha
Doomdooma: With the rejuvenation of historical monuments and temples and pilgrimages of Assam, the government eyes on the famous Buddhist places and 50 tea gardens across the state to attract international tourists ,the tourism department said on Tuesday.
“The significant outcome of the meetings in a travel event in Bangkok was that we need to promote our Buddhist places. We are now ( putting emphasis on) such destinations on our tourism map,” said Kumar Padmapani Bora ,secretary, tourism department & managing director, Assam Tourism Development Corporation, government of Assam.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also said in a tweet recently that Assam has seen a record increase of 575 percent in tourists footfall in 2022-23. The government seems encouraged with this achievement. Time to time chief minister tweets the pictures of things like — Wildlife, Tea and Golf ,Rural charm ,adventure, historical monuments, temples and pilgrimages, Xatras of Assam,river cruise, fair weather to promote tourism in the state.
However, Bora told media, “We are looking to participate in key trade shows like WTM London, to create awareness about our tourism products and experiences in International markets .
“The northeast of India has geographical proximity as well as cultural similarities with south east Asia and that previous participation in a travel event in Bangkok hoped stakeholders to understand how to attract tourists to Assam. ” Bora added.
There are many Buddhist places in Assam and the entire northeast which attracts thousands of International tourists every year. The tea gardens also have a special charm of foreigners to come in the state.
Significantly, the state has hosted five meetings this year as part of India’s present G20 presidency. The foreign delegates experienced a cruise on the river Brahmaputra and a trip to Kaziranga National Park.
Besides the BJP ruled government of Assam has also been supporting a scheme to provide capital infrastructure subsidies to the tea estates.
So be it, the experts say that the government’s efforts to promote tourism in the state in this way may establish the state’s reputation permanently on global tourism map which will not only fetch foreign revenues but also boost state’s economy.