Krishna Kingkor Nath is the proprietor of the Kaziranga-based Seven Sisters Tours and Travels. Having navigated the worst of times during two years of Covid, life and business are normalising for him this year. He could not have asked for any other news than the one the Assam Cabinet has decided to give him and many like him across the State: Industry status to tourism. “This news has come as a manna from heaven. We have waited for it for a long time. This decision will inspire us and those who are willing to do something on their own in tourism,” he said welcoming the announcement, adding that he, too, will invest in newer areas to take advantage of the policy decision.
On December 19, a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma accorded industry status to the tourism sector. This will now clear the way for many already invested in the sector and others mulling to enter it to avail benefits earmarked for industry in Assam.
The move has garnered appreciation from all quarters. “From Terrorism to Tourism, Assam has navigated an arduous journey. This is historical,” said Arijit Purkayastha, chief executive officer of Koyli Tours and Travel, a leading travel agency of the region. He adds that tourism in the State has gone through many travail to position itself where it is today. He pointed out that archaeological tourism was the next big thing in the State.
Although policy details are yet to be made public, however it has emerged that the Government is focusing on heritage hotels, motel, budget hotel, guest houses, bungalow, camping sites, restaurant/cafeteria, amusement parks, ropeways, museums, tour operators’ services, adventure tourism and water sports in its policy prescription for the sector. The initiative will open the doors for more investment in the sector while facilitating entrepreneurs to take advantage of all the benefits that are available to the manufacturing sector.
Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting on December 19, Minister of Tourism, Government of Assam Jayanta Malla Barua spoke of the possibilities that the State offers to domestic and international tourists. He said that the policy will allow the sector to emerge as the biggest contributor to the gross state domestic product, while garnering private investment. He expressed hope that tourism infrastructure will also improve courtesy private public partnership.
“River tourism will get a big boost in Assam. I urge all those associated with the sector to come forward to take advantage of the policy,” Assam Tourism Development Corporation chairman Rituparna Barua said while talking to Asom Barta.
“Our primary objective is to increase private investment in the tourism sector. The Tourism and Industry Departments will work on the modality to give it a definite direction,” Kumar Padmapani Bora, MD, ATDC and Secretary, Tourism, Government of Assam told this reporter. He said that increasing the number of tourists from outside the State will be a shot in the arm for the sector, and hence the policy will focus on infrastructure and services which will lead to more tourists’ footfalls in Assam. “This will lead to word-of-mouth publicity boosting the State’s reputation.”
