STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Assam's Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on Thursday inaugurated the 2nd edition of 'Aparup Asom', a booklet published by Directorate of Tourism, at the office of Director of Tourism.
The booklet, which is published to commemorate India's 75th year of independence, features 75 least-explored destinations of Assam.
Speaking on the occasion, Mallabaruah said that this initiative to launch a tourist booklet by Directorate of Tourism will surely boost the tourism prospects of the lesser-visited places of the State. The Minister also mentioned the new Tourism Policy 2022, recently passed by the Assam Cabinet, which seeks to create Special Tourism Zones (STZs) by promoting tea garden visits, wellness initiatives and adventures, along with the existing wildlife and heritage circuit.
He also asserted that the Government needs to facilitate the luxury hospitality sector to set up their business in popular tourist destinations to increase the footfall of tourists from other parts of the country. Mallabaruah said that Assam is no longer a place of extremists, as is still believed by some people from outside the State or country. "We have a very healthy and friendly tourist environment here in Assam," stated the Minister, while appealing to the media to highlight the more positive aspects of the State so that tourists from other parts of the country or even abroad do not feel apprehensive about visiting the State.
Additional Chief Secretary Maninder Singh, ATDC chairman Rituparna Barua, ATDC vice chairman Dilip Das, OSD Razveer Hussain, Director of Tourism Madhumita Bhagawati and other dignitaries were present during the book-launch ceremony.
Also Watch: