Clear doubts about NE to promote tourism: Mukul

Shillong: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma has stressed on ‘clearing doubts and misconceptions’ about the northeast to promote tourism in the region.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 3rd
International Tourism Mart and Exhibition
organized by the Union ministry of tourism in
association with the northeastern states and West Bengal at the State Convention Centre here on Tuesday, Mukul said this would facilitate the inflow of tourists to this part of the country.
Union minister of state for tourism and culture Shripad Naik, ministers of tourism from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, parliamentary secretaries for tourism from Sikkim, Meghalaya and secretary tourism Parvez Dewan were also present.
“During the three-day programme, representatives from the region will get an opportunity to showcase their tourism destinations and to interact with the delegates from across the world. The objective of the Tourism Mart is to highlight the region’s potential in domestic and international markets and to bring together the tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from the region and West Bengal,” said the chief minister.
Highlighting the historical links between the northeast and countries like Thailand and Cambodia, the chief minister said, “This will also provide an opportunity to delve deeper into such cultural similarities and develop a mechanism where there can be a constant inflow and outflow of tourists from these countries.”
“Through this Tourism Mart, the world will see the region as an ideal destination for travellers,” Mukul said and expressed optimism that the inflow of tourists would increase manifold in the days to come.
Highlighting the growth of tourism industry in the country, Union MoS for tourism and culture Shripad Naik said the Centre has taken several initiatives to boost the tourism sector with special focus on the northeast.