Foreign tourists coming to State
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 11 2011:
Following temporary lifting of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) system from Manipur, there has been steady increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting the State, stated Tourism Commissioner KK Chhetry.
KK Chhetry was talking about the Promising New Destination Award conferred to Manipur at the Tours and Travel Fair held at Mumbai and other similar award won at PATA Travel Mart, New Delhi recently.
The brief period during which PAP system is being lifted from Manipur would end on December 31 this year.
However, travel agencies and foreign tourists have expressed strong desire to extend the PAP relaxation further, said KK Chhetry.
In view of the benefits enjoyed by the State from opening Manipur to foreign tourists, the question of keeping away PAP from the State for further period would be taken up by the Tourism Minister and the Chief Minister for further conveyance to the Union Home Ministry.
Government of Thailand has already informed the State Tourism Department that they would send a cultural troupe as well as 25 exhibitors for this year's Sangai Festival likely to be held in the month of November.
Necessary correspondence is being made in this regard, informed the Tourism Commissioner.
The Sangai Festival would also feature cultural programmes of each and every district of Manipur.
On being asked why the Government of Manipur is unable to take advantage of Keibul Lamjao floating park, which is the only natural habitat of the endangered Sangai so as to boost tourism industry in the State whereas Assam has succeeded in reaping substantial benefits from tourism sector on account of Kaziranga being a natural habitat of rhinoceros, the Tourism Commissioner stated that Keibul Lamjao would face serious ecological problems once it is opened to tourists.