New Delhi/Itanagar, Nov 15 (UNI) Two important projects under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism were inaugurated at PTSO Lake in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday.
The projects --“Development of North East Circuits: Bhalukpong- Bomdila - Tawang Project & Nafra- Seppa- Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- Yomcha Project',
were jointly inaugurated by Union Minister of State (IC) Tourism K J Alphons; Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Arunachal Tourism Minister Jarkar Gamlin.
Mr Alphons said the efforts of Ministry have shown positive results and the Foreign Tourist Arrivals in the region have shown an upward trend over the years. The region received a total of 1.69 lakh foreign tourist visits during 2017 as against 1.45 lakh in 2016 registering a growth of 16.7 per cent over 2016.
The Domestic tourist visits reached 95.47 lakh in 2017 against 77.71 lakh registering impressive double digit growth of 22.8 per cent over 2016, an official statement here said.
The Tourism Minister added that the increased number of tourists in turn has created better employment opportunity for the local population in the region.
Development of Tourism in North Eastern Region is prime area of focus for the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry has taken several initiatives for growth of domestic and international tourism in the region. One of the many challenges the region faces in development of tourism is the absence of quality infrastructure, services and awareness about the array of tourism products region has to offer.
The Ministry is carrying out a number of activities to handle the issues on above fronts. On one hand the Ministry has given great impetus to the tourism infrastructure in the region under its flagship schemes of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD. For development of Tourism infrastructure, the Ministry has sanctioned 16 projects for Rs 1349.04 crore covering all North Eastern States under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD.
Swadesh Darshan scheme is one of the flagship schemes of the Ministry of tourism for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritised manner. Under this scheme the Government is focussing on development of quality infrastructure in the country with objective of providing better experience and facilities to the visitors on one hand and on other hand fostering the economic growth.
The scheme was launched in 2014 -15 and as on date the Ministry has sanctioned 73 projects worth projects for Rs 5873.99 crore to 30 states and UTs.
For promotion of North East region, the Ministry carries out special promotion in domestic and international markets highlighting regions diversity, tourism products and its rich culture.
The Ministry organises International Travel Mart every year in one of the North eastern state with objective of providing platform to North Eastern States to showcase their tourism potential to perspective international and domestic buyers and opportunity to interact with them.
UNI AE SHK1816