Promoting tourism : Team tells tale of Bali experience
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 01 2014: How much tourism industry can change society is seen in the city of Bali, Indonesia.

This was said today by Prof E Bijoykumar Singh of Manipur University while briefing mediapesons in connection with the 6th International Tourism Conference held at Bali from June 21 to 24 last under the aegis of Indian Tourism Congress.

The press briefing was held at the office chamber of the Registrar of Manipur University Prof N Lokendra Singh.

Giving an account of Bali, Prof Lokendra said that Bali was earlier engaged in fishing and agricultural activities, but it has now undergone tremendous changes by promoting tourism as an industry.

At the same time, Bali maintains and preserves its culture which gives confidence that tourism will be successful in Manipur, he opined.

A holiday resort at Bali

He maintained that the changes in Bali are inclusive and added that development without inclusiveness is not good for all.

So much effort should pour in towards Tourist Demand Activities so that inclusive changes prevail in Manipur.

The Registrar further stressed that the experiences he gained from the Bali conference has given him a certain degree of confidence that Manipur can surely develop its economy through tourism.

He also mentioned that tourism studies earlier lay at the periphery.

Now, it has attracted much attention as it creates direct and indirect employment to the populace of the backward areas.

Prof Lokendra further stated that North East India is a hilly area which lacks opportunities in comparison with the mainland India, for which he expressed his desire to open a course on Tourism Studies in the University and colleges in the north east region.

As a part of the press meet, the Dean School of Social Sciences Prof E Bijoykumar Singh said that tourism will play major role in developing Manipur along with showcasing the culture of the State on the centre stage and at the same time, it will protect the culture of Manipur.

Bijoykumar further maintained that how much tourism can change society is seen in the city of Bali.

The press meet was also attended by Dr Meinam Binota Devi, the president of the India Tourism Congress, NE region and she mentioned that Indian Tourism Congress works under Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India and it annually organises national and international conferences on tourism at different selected locations.

She further said that the international conference for this year was organised at Bali in Indonesia from June 21 to 23 in which eight individuals from Manipur attended the international conference.

Binota also expressed that the Bali has modernised its people through tourism which will be helpful in making changes the life of the people of Manipur.

She further divulged that initiative has been started for opening a course on Tourism in Manipur University.