4th International Tourism Mart inaugurated in Gangtok, Sikkim
4th
International Tourism Mart inaugurated in Gangtok, Sikkim
Improving road and air connectivity is the key to developing tourism in the North-east: Dr Mahesh Sharma
Improving road and air connectivity is the key to developing tourism in the North-east: Dr Mahesh Sharma
The 4th International Tourism Mart
(ITM) was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Tourism (Independent
Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma,
along with the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling in Gangtok, Sikkim
today. The ITM has been organized by the Union Ministry of Tourism in
association with the North Eastern States and the state of West Bengal.
Inaugurating the Mart, the Union Tourism Minister,
Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that the ITM helps to showcase to the world the rich and
untapped potential of the North East States. Dr Sharma said that the Prime
Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has a great vision to develop the North East which
has a very high tourism potential in the country. Promoting tourism in these
states will be one of the prime focus areas of the Ministry of Tourism, the
Minister added. Dr Mahesh Sharma said that improving connectivity is the key to
promoting tourism in the North East. The Minister informed that Sikkim will
have its own airport in Pakyong, 35 Km away from Gangtok by December 2016.
Centre will work to create better road connectivity for the public through
National Highways for the North East. He assured that he will discuss the
matter of road connectivity with the concerned ministry.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma appreciated the fact that Sikkim
is soon going to become the first 100% organic state in the country. The Prime
Minister will declare Sikkim as a full organic state on his visit to the state
next year in January 2016, he said. Dr Mahesh Sharma praised the cleanliness
and‘no smoking drive’ of the Sikkim Government and said that the state has all
the potential to become an ideal tourist state.
Highlighting the importance of tourism for a
country, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said tourism is an economic engine for the country’s
growth and development. Tourism can contribute 8-9% to the GDP if we achieve 1%
share of International tourist arrivals around the World. At present India’s
share in International tourist arrivals around the World is 0.68%. Tourism
helps to generate employment and women empowerment, he added. Dr Mahesh Sharma
also said that the facility of e-Visa have been extended to 113 countries and
the Government will extend it to 150 countries by March Next year.
Shri Pawan
Chamling, delivering the keynote address, highlighted the initiatives taken by
theGovernment of Sikkim to make the State a most preferred tourism destination
in the region. Shri Chamling said that we have created a comprehensive action
plan to develop tourism in order to showcase and share the cultural and natural
heritage of Sikkim with the world. Village Tourism and Home Stays have a
tremendous potential in Sikkim as the villages are well developed and well
connected. A Village Development Action Plan has been prepared for the purpose,
he explained.
Secretary,
Tourism, Shri Vinod Zutshi said that the Government is developing North East
region in terms of all aspects–tourism, education, health, transport networks,
telecommunications, information technology, electricity grids, flow of
investment and trade and everything else that is needed to harness its economic
and commercial potential and raise the standards of living of our people in
this region.
This 4th International
Tourism Mart 2015, spread over three days is seeing participation of fifty two
(52) international delegates comprising of tour operators and media persons
from 23 countries. These delegates are from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Brunei, Cambodia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal,
New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland,
Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam. This mart also has participation of 71 tour
operators from eight north eastern States and West Bengal besides domestic
buyers (tour operators) from different regions of the country.
The State Tourism Departments of eight north
eastern states and West Bengal have put up colourful exhibitions at the mart
venue which were earlier inaugurated by the Union Tourism Minister and the
Chief Minister of Sikkim. These States are also highlighting their rich and
varied culture and distinct cuisines.
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