'NE region-potential tourism hub'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 16 2015: Indian Tourism and Hospitality Congress ITHC, North East region during a press meet held at Manipur University IQAC, Director's office said the North Eastern region of India has a promising tourism potential.

The press meet was organised by ITHC with an aim to share the experience and insights on tourism development with the people of NE.

Speaking at the occasion, Professor E Bijoykumar Singh, ITHC (NE region) said about 14 delegates from Manipur presented their papers at the recent International Tourism Conference held at Manali, Himachal Pradesh from February 6 to 8 .

A total of 105 delegates presented their respective papers at the International Tourism Conference held at Manali.

The conference also exhibited significant places of Himachal Pradesh, its heritage sites, markets and natural view of Himachal to the participating delegates as part of the conference, the professor informed.

Professor GP Prassein, during his speech, said Manipur has all the potential of tourism industry and the State can be developed as a popular tourist destination.

Koubru Hills, Loktak lake and such other places of the State can be developed into capital tourism asset as tourists, as it is said, opt for a more natural location like cottages at the heart of a natural surrouding, rather than RCC buildings or the like in the heart of a city, Prassein added.

With tourism, the State can promote its handicraft and handloom industries to a new level.

Other than this, passenger services sector would also see a marked improvement thereby increasing the employment opportunities in the State.

For all this, Prassein concluded, the State would need to develop a calm and friendly atmosphere other than developing the transportation systems.

ITHC (NE region) president Meinam Binota said the organisation has submitted a copy of a joint recommendation from about 135 delegates who came to attend the National conference held at MU in 2013 to the State Government and the Ministry of Tourism each regarding the development of tourism.

"The recommendations however did not have much effect on the State Government," Binota lamented adding that the interest invested in the region by the Centre, however, has ignited new hopes for promoting tourism in the State.

Binota further communicated the organisation's design to compile another recommendation to be directed to the Central Government from the points presented by the delegates at the International conference held at Manali for promotion of tourism in the State.

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