Shillong, November 18 (NNN): Union Minister for Tourism, Subodh Kant Sahay today inaugurated the 2nd Interstate Regional Conference of Tourism Ministers of Eastern and North Eastern States at Hotel Pinewood in Shillong.
In his inaugural speech, the Union Minister said that tourism has emerged as a major player in economic growth and employment generation where till 2010, the sector has been able to provide 53 million jobs and by 2016, the target statistics is 78 million. This can happen only if there is a convergent effort to offer tourism destination opportunities like good road connectivity, infrastructure and introducing theme parks, marketing of local products, etc, he said. Sahay also informed the members that in the 12th Five Year Plan, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is planning to construct integrated tourism park like theme park to wellness park so that it can be converted to a complete destination for tourists thereby generating more to the economic growth. This venture, he said will be developed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. He also felt that this ambitious plan will provide more jobs to rural masses and the youth.
While mentioning that there is a huge shortage in the hospitality department, Sahay said that the States need to enhance more skilled workers in the hospitality sector and the other sectors where degrees are not required and the Government of India and the State Governments will provide 100 percent support for skilled development programmes. Sahay called upon the government machinery of the Eastern and North Eastern States to be aggressive while marketing their State so as to attract more investors adding that tourism including eco-tourism in these State have a huge potential to grow by leaps and bounds. He informed that the Government of India is willing to bear the cost of integrated projects to make these States sale-able destinations. He expressed hoped that in this conference, concrete steps will be arrived at for further improving tourism sector in these parts of India.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, in his speech, said that this conference provides a platform to promote tourism in the North East region and the Eastern States. Stating that many a times these states missed their clients due to lack of proper marketing and branding, he felt that there is a need to come together to sort out ways to attract different categories of tourists be it spiritual, entertainment, nature and so on. The most important issue that the Chief Minister pointed out is the negative perception by travel advisory being issued by some countries about the North East. He requested the Government of India to address this issue and take up the matter with the concerned embassies and high commissions.
In his inaugural speech, the Union Minister said that tourism has emerged as a major player in economic growth and employment generation where till 2010, the sector has been able to provide 53 million jobs and by 2016, the target statistics is 78 million. This can happen only if there is a convergent effort to offer tourism destination opportunities like good road connectivity, infrastructure and introducing theme parks, marketing of local products, etc, he said. Sahay also informed the members that in the 12th Five Year Plan, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is planning to construct integrated tourism park like theme park to wellness park so that it can be converted to a complete destination for tourists thereby generating more to the economic growth. This venture, he said will be developed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. He also felt that this ambitious plan will provide more jobs to rural masses and the youth.
While mentioning that there is a huge shortage in the hospitality department, Sahay said that the States need to enhance more skilled workers in the hospitality sector and the other sectors where degrees are not required and the Government of India and the State Governments will provide 100 percent support for skilled development programmes. Sahay called upon the government machinery of the Eastern and North Eastern States to be aggressive while marketing their State so as to attract more investors adding that tourism including eco-tourism in these State have a huge potential to grow by leaps and bounds. He informed that the Government of India is willing to bear the cost of integrated projects to make these States sale-able destinations. He expressed hoped that in this conference, concrete steps will be arrived at for further improving tourism sector in these parts of India.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, in his speech, said that this conference provides a platform to promote tourism in the North East region and the Eastern States. Stating that many a times these states missed their clients due to lack of proper marketing and branding, he felt that there is a need to come together to sort out ways to attract different categories of tourists be it spiritual, entertainment, nature and so on. The most important issue that the Chief Minister pointed out is the negative perception by travel advisory being issued by some countries about the North East. He requested the Government of India to address this issue and take up the matter with the concerned embassies and high commissions.
