Assam Tourism, which recently unveiled its Tourism Policy, is betting big on private investment to strengthen tourism infrastructure in the state. “Our Tourism Policy is quite pro-active. We are offering lucrative incentives to draw private investment in tourism sector. We are also offering the 80 properties of Assam Tourism Development Corporation to private investors on long term lease for 30 years. The Cabinet has already given approval and tender process has already started. We have started receiving interest from big hotel companies,” Jayanta Malla Baruah, Chairman, Assam Tourism Development Corporation, said at the sideline of WTTC-II Hotelivate Award in New Delhi. Assam bagged Best Policy & Leadership Award in the Tourism sector for the state. Elaborating more on the incentives, Baruah said that the policy offers incentives such as 30 per cent subsidy on capital infrastructure including hotels, 75 per cent on road construction and 25 per cent on power, etc.
He also informed that the State Tourism Board is developing special Film Tourism Policy to woo filmmakers that will promote tourism in the state. According to the policy, cash grant of 25 per cent or Rs 1 crore, whichever is less, of expenditure will be offered as reimbursement to Hindi, English and foreign language cinema makers, who have produced a minimum of five feature films. “We have adopted an aggressive approach and appointed Priynaka Chopra as brand ambassador. We have been targeting overseas and domestic markets and we also initiated outdoor campaign,” he informed.
With new policy, the State Tourism Board is also promoting other tourism products of the state. “We have traditionally been focusing on wildlife tourism. Now, we are looking at all other sectors. We are focusing on river, heritage, religious and adventure tourism, homestays and other tourism,” he said. The State Tourism Board is also looking at tapping the potential of tea and golf tourism. “We have 30-35 quality golf courses of British time. We have tied up with Bengal Chambers of Commerce for an annual golf tournament,” he informed.
As far as connectivity is concerned, Guwahati is connected with more than 80 flights. “The Udan scheme is further going to boost the air connectivity. The State government’s own Assam Aviation Service will be opening many heliports to connect remote areas with Guwahati,” he added.
