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The Government attaches great importance to the development of tourist infrastructure in the North East region in view of its immense tourist potential. The rich natural beauty, serenity and exotic flora and fauna, snow-peaked mountains and white water Rivers of the area are invaluable resources for the development of eco-tourism. The region is endowed with diverse tourist attractions as each State has its own distinct features. Despite abundance of natural beauty, , the flow of incoming tourists has been marginal for the reasons of the lack of infrastructural and other related facilities in various tourist spots in the region.
Towards achievement of this objective, 10% of the Plan allocation of the Central Tourism Ministry has been earmarked for the North East Region. During 2003-04, against Plan allocation of Rs. 325 crore, an amount of Rs. 34.84 crore was sanctioned for tourism related projects in the North East. In 2004-05, 10% of Plan allocation of Rs. 500 crore earmarked for development of tourism in North East Region was fully spent.
To develop and promote tourism in the region, Ministry of Tourism has taken following steps:
· In order to augment infrastructure for development of human resource in tourism and hospitality education, full-fledged Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology has been set up at Shillong in addition to the existing one at Guwahati. Provision of hostel facility bas been made in the new campus for both the boys and girls. Both the Institutes offer 3-year Degree programme in Hotel Management and Diploma courses in Food and Beverages Service and Food Production.
· In order to give wide publicity to the tourist attractions of the North East Region, the Ministry has launched campaigns on a continuing basis. This is besides the publicity literature being produced on North East by the Ministry of Tourism.
· North Eastern States are given a free booth in the World’s largest tourism fair – ITB, Berlin by the Ministry of Tourism.
· Financial assistance is being provided for use of Information technology for tourism promotion.
· North-Eastern States are given a special focus in the Marketing Conference of overseas Offices of the Ministry.
Under the scheme of integrated development of Tourist Circuits and Destination Development, some of the major projects sanctioned in the year 2004-05 are as under:
Destination Development of Along.
Development Zeminthang.
Development of NE Circuit Assam.
Development of Tourism Circuit, Meghalaya.
Destination Development of Mizoram.
Naga Heritage Complex, Nagaland.
Development of Touphema complex, Nagaland.
Destination Development of Pfutsero, Nagaland.
Rural Tourism project in Nagaland, PM’s package.
Development of Buddhist Circuit at Tashiding, West Sikkim.
NCJ/DT/rel-tourstpromotionortheast-12
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