Address by Smt. Ajanta Neog, Hon'ble Minister of State, Tourism, Government of Assam

Hon'ble Union Minister of State, Tourism,
Hon'ble Minister of DONER,
Hon'ble Minister of State, Civil Aviation,
Secretary, Tourism, Govt. of India,
President, FICCI,

Distinguished Guests and Participants,

I, on behalf of the Govt. of Assam, offer our thanks to FICCI for giving us the opportunity to interact with different States, industrialists, business community and with delegates from various States of the country and abroad. Tourism, as the most potential sector for building friendship and amity is gaining importance in the world day by day. Exploration being the zeal of the people today every nook and corner of the world is bound to be focused every day through the medium of tourism. This international forum will definitely play a positive role in that direction. Opportunity is provided here to unfold the rich culture and heritage of the State like Assam.

Over the years, Assam - the "Gateway to the North-East", has emerged as a popular tourist destination and tourists are gradually finding it more and more interesting. The natural beauty, the environment, the flora and fauna of the state is unique. Its large bio-diversity, rolling hills, green valleys, virgin forests, the mighty river Brahmaputra and its tributaries, -all these make Assam a major hub for Wild life and Eco- Tourism. The colourful lifestyle of its different tribes has a long history of diverse and unique cultural heritage. Their traditional art, culture and crafts are very attractive and these are sources of great attraction for tourist. Assam's handicrafts and handloom need no introduction and have become popular in both domestic and international markets. All these make Assam a treasure house for the growth of Rural Tourism.

The Prime Segments of Tourism in Assam are :

• Wild life Tourism & Eco-tourism,
• River Tourism,
• Tea & Golf Tourism, and
• Pilgrimage & Cultural Tourism,
• Rural Tourism
• Heritage Tourism

Wild life & Eco -Tourism in Assam:
Assam has five National Parks- viz. Kaziranga National Park, the Manas National Park, Nameri National Park, Orang National Park and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. As we all know, Kaziranga is a World Heritage Site and it is famous world wide for the one-horned rhinoceros and a large variety of deer, buffaloes, elephants, tigers, and rare birds etc. It had earned the distinction of most tourist friendly National Park in the country. It is fully equipped with excellent accommodation and facilities like Elephant Safari for the tourist. Manas, another World Heritage Site is famous for its Tiger Project, and wild life, more specifically Tiger & the Golden Langoors. The Nameri National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa and Bhalukpong in Sonitpur district are famous for Eco- Tourism and very popular with the nature lovers, where there are opportunities galore for the lovers of adventure and water sports. Majuli, on the lap of Brahmaputra, is considered to be the largest river island measuring about 2860 Sq. Km. and is a major centre of Pilgrimage, propagation of Vaisnavism of Hindu Religion, Heritage and , Eco-tourism. The Joypur Rain Forest and Dihing-Patkai and Dibru-Saikhowa etc are very rich sources for the growth of Wild life tourism in Assam. The hills and plains of Assam is famous for bio-diversity and huge numbers of medicinal, ornamental and valuable timbers, bamboos and canes etc. are available in the hills and forests of Assam.

River Tourism :
In Assam, the concept of River Tourism is synonymous with Brahmaputra Tourism. The mighty Brahmaputra, one of the biggest rivers of the world, traverses through Assam for about 800 kms. It is not just a mighty river but the life-line of the people of Assam. Its vast riverfront have the potential for development as a major attraction for tourists from all over the world. River expeditions, cruising, boating etc on Brahmaputra and Barak River in Barak Valley of Assam, angling, canoeing, para-sailing, white water rafting etc. in some of its tributaries are providing ample scope for growth of both river and adventure tourism. River cruise on the Brahmaputra from Guwahati, organized by the Govt and private sectors, have become very popular.

Tea & Golf Tourism :
People all over the world know Assam as the land of 'two leaves and a bud. ' With more than 800 large tea estates, their beautiful ambience, colourful people, the old heritage bunglows of the Managers, some of which were set up by the British, may blend memories of the past to make Assam a nostalgic destination for many. Also as many as 20 Golf Courses in and around the tea gardens are yet another major source for promotion of Golf- Tourism.

Pilgrimage Tourism :
The shrines and temples etc built by the ancient rulers at Kamakhya, Basistha, Umananda Temple ( in the midst of Brahmaputra), Nabagraha Temple (all in Guwahati), Haigriba Madhaba Mandir, Poa Mocca at Hajo, Siva Dol at Sivasagar etc are major centres of Pilgrimage Tourism. Besides, the Vaisnavite shrines known as 'Satras' at Majuli , Barpeta , Batadrawa ( the birth place of Sri Sri Sankardeva) etc are ancient and important centers of Pilgrimage and Cultural Tourism.

Flow of Tourist :
The renewed emphasis by Government and private promoters on tourism sector, mainly in the sphere of infrastructure development has been well complimented by the gradual increase of tourist inflow to the State.

Tourism Infrastructure Development:
Over the years, a large number of medium and minor tourism infrastructure projects with total financial outlay of about Rs.35.00 crore have been taken up. These included infrastructure projects like (a) Tourism Complex, (b) Yatriniwas, (c) Tourist Reception Centres, (d) Upgradation and expansion of tourist facilities, (e) Development of Pilgrim Centres and (f) Water Sports etc. All these have been taken up by the State Government some times with Central Government fund. Some more projects for development of Tourist Circuits and Destinations are also being considered, which will create a major impact on promotion of tourism in the State of Assam in next few years.

Public Private Partnership :
For sustainable growth of tourism, large investment for infrastructure development is called for. This can be possible if the private sector comes forward for investment considering the potential of tourism in Assam. The State Government is committed to facilitate private sector investment and participation in the tourism sector in all possible way. The State Government has endeavored to intensify private sector investment and participation in management and development of the projects already set up and also for establishment of new projects. With these objectives in view, at present about 36 projects / units of the Government are run in association with private sector participation. Setting up of some more projects with joint participation of both private sector and Government are now in progress.

Policy Initiatives- new Tourism Policy of the State:
Policy initiatives have been taken for positioning Assam as a major tourist destination with thrust on infrastructure development and strengthening of Private-Public Partnership. A separate (i) Tourism Policy of the State and also the process of preparation of (ii) Master Plan of Assam Tourism as a long term vision document for growth of Assam Tourism have been recently taken up. These will be ready in just about few months from now. Moreover, different incentives to intensify private sector participation have also been considered for implementation. A beginning this year is under process to start an innovative scheme of setting up tourism projects of various nature across the State with involvement of Self-Help Groups and financial support from the State Government at the initiative and guidance of the Hon'ble Chief Minister, which will surely bring about visible growth of tourism related activities in a sustainable way. The State Govt. will endeavour to ensure the following Policy initiatives for sustainable growth of tourism in the State :-

1. Industrial incentives to tourism projects,
2. Rationalisation of luxury tax and other taxes, license fees etc. and issues relating to tax holidays,
3. Capital subsidy for preparation of techno-economic and feasibility reports for selected category of units,
4. Allotment of developed land for setting up infrastructure projects in selected hot spots of Tourism,
5. Assistance for training and manpower for setting up Joint Venture projects .
   
   

Specified Projects for investment and setting up Joint Ventures :-

In the above backdrop, tourism, being a multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral activity, can be promoted by investment as viable commercial proposition in the following types of projects :

1. Ropeway Projects at Guwahati, which is expected to provide good investment return and profitability,
2. Floating Hotel & Restaurant / Marriage Hall etc on River Brahmaputra and in the river bank.
3. Resorts and Tourist Accommodation
4. Convention Centre and Star Hotels at Guwahati,
5. Recreational Park at Guwahati,
6. Hover Craft /Speed Boat Services,
7. Hot -Air Ballooning,
8. Golf Courses Upgradation, Modernisation and Management,
9. Tourism Transport in the Tourist Circuits
10. City Tours, etc.
    

These are only some indicators. Resourceful investors can explore more areas for investment, service and return.

The Govt. of Assam also welcomes project proposals with details of techno-economic feasibility reports for setting up large revenue generating projects as joint venture with provision for equity participation up to 25% of project cost (maximum of Rs.10.00 crore per project) by Govt. of India, Ministry of Tourism. The Govt. of Assam will provide ground hospitality and other supports to technical experts for conducting techno-economic study for such selected and identified tourism projects. The financial assistance provided by the Government of India to the State Government, though not adequate, is always acknowledged.

Assam Tourism looks forward to bringing about major changes in the tourism scenario under the initiatives taken by the present Government with participation of private sector.

I once again thank FICCI for organizing this conference and giving us the opportunity for participation, presentation and deliberation. We look forward for growing interest of FICCI in promoting the Tourism Sector in the State in particular and the North Eastern Region in general.

Thanking you all,

Yours sincerely,
Ajanta Neog