The second International Tourism Mart (ITM) took place in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh recently, and was inaugurated by Nabam Tuki, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. Tuki termed North East as a “Paradise Unexplored” which has a huge tourism potential that is yet to be tapped of its true potential. Referring to the top priority to promotion of the tourism sector for having potential to generate massive self employment avenues while enriching the state exchequer, Tuki said that this Himalayan state is a treasure trove of natural beauty inhabited by over 150 major and minor hospitable tribes with their rich cultural mosaic, art and crafts, tribal cuisines which offer huge scope for the growth of tourism.
Union Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan said that the holding of the ITM in Tawang reflected the commitment of the government to promote tourism in North East India, in Arunachal Pradesh, and Tawang in particular. Dewan added that India records 105 crore domestic tourists and 65 lakh foreign tourists annually, yielding revenue of US$18 billion from foreigners which amounted to 6.5 percent of national GDP besides generating about 10 per cent direct or indirect employment.
Later, Tuki inaugurated an exhibition of nine participating Indian states showcasing their tourist potential, traditional, cultural, art and craft uniqueness. Sikkim Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel, Nagaland Tourism Minister E E Pangteang, Arunachal’s Tourism Parliamentary Secretary PD Sona, Art and Culture Parliamentary Secretary Tsewang Dhondup and Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs department chairman Rev T G Rinpoche and top ranking officers, among others were present on the occasion. The inaugural function was followed by PowerPoint presentation of nine participating states to highlight their respective tourism scope.
