Tourism of Assam

Submitted by pbhagawati on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 16:27

 

 

Tourism is a fastest growing industry in the world. Tourism in Assam is based on wildlife, natural beauty, unique flora & fauna, holy shrines, lush green tea gardens, turbulent rivers, vibrant and colourful cultural festivals. Assam has immense tourism potential, which has to be explored as a commercial resource. Eco tourism is one of the fastest growing tourism segments and therefore the state Government of Assam has given tremendous thrust with relevant to natural beauty and bounty.

 

The State Tourism Department  has witnessed a considerable success and all round development both in respect of infrastructure development and creation of other facilities over the years with the financial assistance from Government of India as well as the State Government. For the growth of the tourism sector, special emphasis has been given on public and private partnership to tap the unexpected potential opportunities.

 

Eco-tourism is aimed at the appreciation of both natural world and traditional cultures existent in natural area and to protect natural and cultural assets. Assam has several ethnic group residing in harmony in spite of the difference in rites and rituals, festivals and attires. One may discover the fascinating legacy of art and crafts in Assam, also the proud producer of three unique varieties of Silk, the Golden Muga, the White Pat and Warm Eri. In Assam, one can hear the rhythms of the shuttles of looms in the craft village, which get momentum with the advent of spring.

 

 

Employment Generation Scheme for Educated Unemployed youths:

 

The “Assam Bikash Yojana” is an ambitious employment generation schemes undertaken by the Government of Assam. Under the Scheme the tourism department has taken up programmes like providing financial assistance to local educated unemployed youths so that the youths could engage themselves in tourism promotional activities like transport, wayside amenities, food kiosk, restaurants, dhabas, and cottages for accommodation etc. For capacity building, youths studying in the institute of hotel management are provided with stipend and also incentive to the institutions. As many as 357 unemployed youths have been provided with subsidy for purchase of tourist vehicles under the Scheme of “Assam Bikash Yojana”. It is contemplated that 1000 youths would be benefited within the span of 2008-2011. The department also introduced training facilities for the drivers conducting jeep safaris within the National Parks.

 

 

Efforts to unveil Assam to foreign tourist:

 

The Assam Tourism Department has participated in different tourism fairs to showcase the tourism product in the national and international market so as to attract domestic and foreign tourists to the region like IITM Mumbai, Festival of India (Craft Mela)- Mumbai,West Bengal Tourism & Food Festival- Kolkata, TTF- Kolkata, CHALO JAAI TTE- Kolkata, ITAO-Bhubaneswar, India International Fair-New Delhi, 96th National Science Congress-Shillong, Ambubasi Mela at Kamakhya. As a part of publicity campaign and to draw tourists, the Department organized Rongali Utsav, Elephant festival at Kaziranga. The electronic and print media were also extensively utilized for publicity campaign. The Assam Tourism Department has also participated in tourism fairs in London, Berlin, Singapore, Dubai, and Dhaka etc., to attract foreign tourists to Assam.

 

A documentary has been made through internationally reputed film maker Mr. Richard Bangs, USA with an aim to launch a campaign in the foreign market to sell Assam Tourism Products as well as increase the flow of foreign tourists to the State.

 

 

Tourism Policy, Assam 2008:

 

Assam Tourism Policy was launched in 2008. The policy envisages measures to encourage private investment in Tourism sector providing financial and logistic support. Meanwhile, the State Govt. has made all basic arrangements for construction of a 5 Star Hotel in collaboration with Tatas.

 

 

Promotion of Cultural Tourism:

 

The State Government has taken following steps for promotion of Cultural Tourism in the State:

 

  • A Heritage and Eco-tourism resort has been constructed in Majuli at a cost of Rs.4.32 crore to promote tourism in the river island.

  • Development of a Buddhist tourist circuit comprising of eleven Buddhist temples has been undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs.6.52 crore.

  • A tourist lodge has been constructed in the precincts of Kamakhya Mandir and the complex has been illuminated at a cost of Rs.3.90 crore.

  • Light and Sound project for Talatal Ghar at Sivasagar has been taken up.

  • Beautification and refurbishment schemes have been done in Poa Mecca and other temples of Hajo besides providing tourist amenities there.

  • A project has been taken up at Kharghulli hills, Guwahati at a cost of Rs.1.12 crore at the Tai Ahom Samaj tourist complex.

 

Development of new tourist sites/attractions:

 

Following new tourist sites have been developed and facilities for tourists have been created by the State Govt. for attraction of both domestic and foreign tourists:

  • During the last few years tourist centres have been developed/created at Koyakujia at North Salmara, Kaliabhomora and Kolong River in Nagaon and Khatara Satra in Darrang District.

  • New tourist lodges and amenity centres have been constructed at Dhubri, Bangaigaon, North Salmara, Nalbari, Rangia, Hailakandi, Karimganj and Silchar etc.

  • A four storied luxury cruise vessel with ultra modern five star category facilities will be launched in the Brahmaputra. The vessel is under construction at Kolkata dock.

 

Other websites:

 

http://www.assamtourism.org/