The writer George Kangung Maram., is a Former
Director of Tourism for Govt. of Pondicherry.
Where focus is required?
The north eastern states have potentials for eco-tourism
and cultural tourism. It has been said before and is repeated
now that restrictive area permit need to be lifted if these potentials
of tourism are to be tapped. Neither the state nor the central
Governments have taken up this issue seriously. The north eastern
states are strategically located. However, the govt. need to
evolve other mechanism to safeguard the interest of the country
instead of placing such restrictions on the movement of foreign
visitors.
Connectivity of the region in respect of roads and railways
are awfully inadequate and inefficient. The bumpy roads and the
ramshackle buses that ferry the visitors do not make travel
convenient. Rail Links need to be established on priority to
cater to travel needs of distant tourists.
Hoteling and catering in Manipur is abysmal.
There is hardly any quality hotel worth the name. Hotel beds need to be
increased. multy-cuisine restaurants need to be established.
Historical and other places of interests are ill maintained.
The Govt. must take a hard look to renovate these sites . For
this the central provides adequate fund . What needs to be done
is that the Govt. machinery must prepare projects and request
the central govt. to release fund.
There are no professionally manned travel operators in
the state. Well trained tourist guides and professionally manned
tour and travel operators need to be encouraged.
One major area, that the govt. of Manipur has so far
been neglecting is marketing tourism products. By tourism
products I mean places of interests and the packages that the
state offers to prospective tourists. There are a number of travel
Marts at different locations across the country and abroad through
out the year. Tour and travel operators from across the globe
visit these exhibitions to not only study tourism products
exhibited but also buy packages offered .
These occasions offer
opportunities to unravel tourism potentials of a place. However,
Manipur or for that matter the north eastern states in general
do not show up at these exhibitions. We do not have marketing
strategies at all. It is found that there is no adequate information
or brochures to tell the world that Manipur exists.
The law and order problem plaguing the states deter
tourist visits. Manipur is perceived as a lawless jungle by mainstream
people where killings and extortions pervades. Such perceptions
need to be dispelled and law and order improved.
And most importantly, tourism potential in employment
and income generation should be realized by both policy makers
and public. the state has to act as a catalyst in tourism promotion
through budgetary support.
George Kangung Maram.
Former Director of Tourism.
Govt. of Pondicherry.
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