Tourism sector should be strengthened for GDP growth in Assam: Governor

 GUWAHATI: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria held a briefing session with the key officials of the Assam Tourism Department in the presence of its Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah at the conference hall of Raj Bhavan on Wednesday. During the meeting, the Tourism Minister informed the Governor about various initiatives undertaken by the Department, emphasizing the department's commitment to expedite transformative changes for the overall tourism sector of the state. He also said that since 2016-2017, a lot of innovative initiatives have been taken to improve the sector. He also said that with the guidance of the Governor and the Chief Minister, substantial changes would be brought in to give a new momentum to the tourism sector.

The Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, Dr. J. B. Ekka, gave a presentation of the activities of the department. He highlighted branding and promotion, infrastructure development, policy enhancement, and festivals and events to promote tourism. The governor said that Assam is the gateway to Southeast Asian nations and a treasure trove of tourism. He said that the tourism industry in Assam has huge potential, which can uplift various sectors like hospitality, skill development, handloom and handicraft, culture, etc. It creates tremendous opportunities for self-employment as well as contributes to employment generation. Moreover, the tourism sector also plays a pivotal role in increasing the GDP of Assam.

The governor also said that nature has bestowed abundant blessings on the state. Historically, too, the state has a huge repository of tourism potential that needs to be showcased to the world. He said that both the tourism and cultural departments have to come together to find ways to promote cultural tourism in the state. The governor also asked the tourism department to prepare a brochure giving detailed information about all tourist places in the state and provide the information on a digital platform. He also suggested that foreign tourists need to be attracted to the state. The governor also said that tourist kiosks should be set up and strengthened in all the airports. He also said that a heritage museum should be set up to collect and preserve the objects and materials of religious, cultural, and historical value from ancient times.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor SS Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Tourism Department Padmapani Bora, Secretary Tourism Department Prabhati Thaosen, Director Tourism Department Ranuj Borkotoky, senior officers from the Tourism Department, and Raj Bhavan, stated a press release.

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