New Delhi, May 24 : The Union tourism ministry’s promotional for Arunachal Pradesh — Paradise Unexplored — is all set to change.
In a major victory for the state, the home ministry has decided to relax the norms for the restricted area permit — needed by foreigners — to finally allow couples to enjoy the pristine beauty of its tall mountains.
The home ministry earlier only allowed foreigners in groups of four or more to travel to the state for security reasons.
“We have been pushing the Northeast as a major tourist destination at various international fora,” said joint secretary, tourism, Leena Nandan.
“A lot of money is being spent to develop infrastructure, but there is no point unless we relax the norms. This recent home ministry order is a major victory for tourism.”
Last year, the ministry spent Rs 33 crore on developing infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh alone. The last relaxation of norms for tourists was done 10 years ago.
The order dated May 8 — received by the ministry of tourism on May 14 — also opens up four new circuits for tourists. An existing circuit has been extended to include Tuting.
“The ministry of tourism has been promoting the Northeast as a short-haul destination for Asean countries,” said Nandan. “The area is also being projected as a destination for honeymooners. But unless we had a relaxation in the permit norms, the whole marketing exercise was fruitless.”
Dewy-eyed young couples on their way to escape alone to find romance were unlikely to travel in groups for their honeymoon.
“The circuit period was only for 10 days till now. But the home ministry has also extended this to 30 days, which will also help get tourists,” said Nandan.
Determined to use tourism as a vehicle of change, the ministry is trying to find innovative ways to use the limitations the area may have to its advantage. Using its USP — untouched, undiscovered India — the ministry asked a travel group specialising in adventure tourism to go on a two-week tour of the state.
“The idea was to give them a first-hand experience of the area,” said Nandan. “The feedback we have got from tour operators is that people coming to the area are not interested in a five-star holiday. They just want basic, clean facilities, don’t mind roughing it out a bit, but are looking for adventure.”
The ministry — in an effort to promote the Northeast on foreign shores — has amended its guidelines to offer small travel operators from the Northeast some market development assistance. Under the scheme, the ministry will subsidise travel for these operators to help them be a part of Incredible India promotions abroad.
And while, the relaxation for travel norms is only for Arunachal Pradesh as yet, it is a step in the right direction for the Northeast.
Telegraph India
0 comments:
Post a Comment