State celebrates World Tourism Day at Mapithel
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 27 2021: Tourism minister Oinam Lukhoi asserted that the government has been taking up various projects to fully tap the state's potential in the tourism sector.

Speaking as chief guest of the World Tourism Day, 2021 celebration held under the theme 'Tourism for Inclusive Growth' at Mapithel (Ramrei village) in Kamjong district on Monday, minister Lukhoi highlighted various tourism projects taken up by the state government under the leadership of chief minister N Biren in all the districts.

He stated that such projects will boost the tourism sector of the state and it will contribute in the inclusive socio-economic development.

Stating that Loktak lake is the mirror of Manipur, he informed that a sum of Rs 1350 crore has been approved for development of Loktak lake under Asian Development Bank.

While conceding that as Manipur does not have resources in abundance, it solely depends on the funding provided by the centre, he, however, maintained that state has enormous potential to see development in the tourism sector on account of the natural beauty embedded with large numbers of historical places.

While pointing out that centre did not sanction any projects for tourism activities because of Covid-19 pandemic, Lukhoi said that union government has recently sanctioned development of four-five tourist spots in Manipur.

Officials from ministry of tourism have inspected several places in this regard, he informed.

With improvement in law-and-order situation in the state over the last few years, there have been more footfalls of tourists in Manipur, the minister said, while adding that revenue from tourism will be regenerated with the improvement in Covid-19 situation in Manipur.

The minister appealed to the locals for extending best hospitality to all the tourists to further promote the tourist destinations.

Cycle rally, cultural shows and traditional food items & handicrafts stalls were the highlights of the celebration, which was also attended by Jiribam AC MLA and TCML chairman Md Ashab Uddin, Konthoujam MLA and advisor to CM (Health) Dr Sapam Ranjan, Wangjing Tentha MLA P Brojen as presidium members.

Meanwhile, Manipur Adventure and Allied Sports Institute (MASI), Keirao celebrated World Tourism Day at its complex on Monday.

The function wasf attended by MASI president N Saratchandra, Kangabam Chourajit and MASI vice presidents W Sushilkumar and W Jadumani as presidium members.

It may be noted that the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has designated World Tourism Day 2021 as a day to focus on tourism for inclusive growth.

World Tourism Day, celebrated each year on September 27, is a global observance day fostering awareness of tourism's social, cultural, political and economic value and the contribution that the sector can make towards reaching the sustainable development goals.

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