NE states join in to promote Destination North East 2020

Dimapur, September 29 (MExN): The second day of the ongoing Destination North East 2020, a mega online event, with the theme ‘Emerging Delightful Destinations,’ witnessed the participation of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya on September 28.

Updates from the DIPR received on Tuesday, informed that North East Council member Prof Biman Kumar Dutta highlighted about the tourism potentials of North East Region, rich biodiversity hotspots, historical and religious places and other important tourist attractions like tea estates, scenically beautiful places and historical monuments besides the hospitality of people of the region.

The event saw the presentation of ‘cultural mosaic,’ dances, places of tourist attractions, choirs, state icons, achievers and entrepreneurs of the participating states, the DIPR reported.

During the programme Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, thanked the Ministry of DoNER for organizing the event and highlighted the importance and potential of tourism in North East Region. He underscored the direct and indirect benefits of tourism in the state of Meghalaya in terms of revenue earned, employment created and livelihood generated.

The Chief Minister spoke about the need to re-strategize tourism in Meghalaya in the background of the challenges and opportunities that the COVID-19 pandemic has created. With eco tourism being the forte of Meghalaya, he stressed on the need for better packaging, linking Shillong Airport to Delhi and other metros and investing in unique selling points to attract tourists. He also stressed the need for attracting capital, government funding and public private partnerships.

Sangma also emphasized on the need to create security and safety for both locals and tourists in the era of COVID and informed that Meghalaya Government is taking all possible measures to implement the health protocols seriously.

In Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, stated that Arunachal Pradesh, being the largest state in NER with 26 major tribes and 100 sub tribes, displays a perfect case of unity and harmony in diversity and is known for the preservation of culture and environment by the tribes.

He informed that after overcoming the challenges of COVID 19, the state of Arunachal Pradesh will move ahead with tourism.

Tourism Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Nakap Nalo described the beauty of various tourist destinations in the state and informed that tourism in Arunachal will start from the month of October, the DIPR report stated.