Kumar Padmapani Bora, Secretary, Tourism Department & Managing Director, Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. has credited the robust support of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma for the overwhelming growth of the tourism sector.
The north-eastern state welcomed a record 10 million domestic tourists and 20,000 international visitors in the financial year 2022-2023. The numbers are impressive considering they surpass the pre-pandemic growth. Assam recorded 69 lakh domestic tourists in the fiscal 2017-2018 while 18,000 international tourists visited the state in the fiscal 2019-2020.
“Our honourable Chief Minister (Himanta Biswa Sarma) is working hard to take the tourism sector to greater heights. We are receiving constant support from the state government as a result all our plans are meeting their logical conclusion. We have launched a new tourism policy to attract private investment. As a result, major hospitality chains like IHCL (Indian Hotels Company Limited) and Hyatt Hotels and Resorts are foraying into Assam,” shared Bora.
In order to showcase its diverse offering across the state besides the renowned Kaziranga National Park and Kamakhya Temple, the tourism department is in the process of documenting other tourism products that can be promoted in different markets.
The tourism department of Assam is also looking to promote homestays in places where infrastructure in terms of good hotels is not available. “We want to involve and empower local communities through homestays. In fact, a policy on homestays is under finalization and we are taking feedback from stakeholders on how we can implement a self-sustaining model for homestays,” added Bora.
The government of Assam is supporting a scheme to provide capital infrastructure subsidies to the tea estates which are located in the existing tourism circuits.
“We have already selected 50 tea gardens across Assam that will receive a capital subsidy of 50 per cent of the total project with an upper ceiling of Rs. 2 crores. We are offering support for the renovation of iconic tea bungalows apart from the creation of additional facilities like more rooms, swimming pool, spa or restaurants,” said Bora.
The focus is also on increasing tourist arrivals from international markets like Europe and South East Asia. Roadshows were conducted in New Delhi and Mumbai last year to hold discussions with tour operators.
“We are also looking to participate in key trade shows like WTM London to create awareness about our tourism products and experiences in international markets. We also want to promote Assam’s Buddhist sites in South East Asian markets,” concluded Bora.