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.