Newmai News Network Imphal | November 24 The Union Tourism Ministry is putting efforts to improve connectivity and infrastructures in the North East with the primary aim to attract more tourists in the region, Vinod Zutshi, Secretary (Tourism) said here on Thursday. Addressing the media at the City Convention Centre in Imphal, Zutshi further said “efforts are on to make NE region a proper tourism destination not only at the national level but also at the international level.” The press meet was held on the sidelines of the three-day long 5th International Tourism Mart-2016 being organised by the Ministry of Tourism at the City Convention Centre. Zutshi urged for providing appropriate accommodation for tourists coming to Manipur and ensuring they do not face hurdles. He said with the law and order improving in the state, tourist arrival is growing here. Participating in the 5th International Tourism Mart-2016, Vinod Zutshi also informed that the Centre is taking up as many as 46 projects to provide a good and congenial atmosphere to tourists across the country. Out of these projects, he said, 12 are being undertaken in the North East states. Okram Ibobi Singh assured to make Manipur a world class tourism destination at the event participated by more than 50 delegates from different countries. Ibobi, Chief Minister of Manipur, stated that developmental works are being taken up in various places of the state under the Ministry of Tourism towards that end. “The rich heritage of Manipur attracts tourists to the state. The tourism sector can solve our unemployment and economic problems,” Ibobi further said. Manipur Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore Singh, Ministry of Tourism’s Additional Director General Dr RK Bhatnagar and a host of officials and mediapersons from across the country attended the opening day of the international tourism mart, a part of the ongoing 10-day long Manipur Sangai Festival. The annual Sangai Festival organised by the Manipur Tourism Department is being held at Hapta Kangjeibung and Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), in Palace Compound. The tourism mart is being held with the main objective to highlight the tourism potentials of the North East by gathering the tourism fraternity of the region and West Bengal together.
