Tourism potential of Dima Hasao highlighted at TOAA meeting

From a Correspondent

Haflong, Oct 29: The 8th annual general meeting of the Tourist Operations’ Association of Assam (TOAA) was held in Haflong for the first time. The programme, in collaboration with the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, was organized with an objective to bring Dima Hasao district in the tourist map of the world. The two-day programme was designed to have a B2B meeting between stakeholders, service providers of the district and tour operator members as buyers to promote Dima Hasao. There was an interactive session with the stakeholders, NGOs and also media persons on Friday and a general meeting on Saturday.

The delegation of around 40, including tour operators, hoteliers, restaurant owners and media, had come from Guwahati and outside to be part of the meet. The general meeting was iugurated by chairman of the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC), Jayanta Malla Boruah and vadeep Kalita, vice-chairman of ATDC.

Sachin Goswami, president of the TOAA, lauded the tural beauty of Dima Hasao  and spoke about tourism potential of this district. He stressed the prospects of Dima Hasao in this industry and how the locals should take advantage through this opportunity.

Executive Member for Tourism, Kulendra Daulagupu in his speech spoke about the challenges and facts regarding the current state in tourism. The earlier fear psychosis of the district as a terrorist destition has now been converted into a tourist-favourable destition. He requested the organizations to also cooperate with the people of Dima Hasao in their struggle to preserve the meter gauge (MG) rail tracks that had historical as well as tourism potential. He stated that the autonomous council would make all effort to bring Dima Hasao in the tourist map of not just the country but also the world.

The regiol director of India Tourism, Soeb Samad gave a brief presentation of activities of the ministry and how it helped in promoting domestic tourism to all regions through its various initiatives. He also spoke about the prospects of tourism promotion in this part of the land. He highlighted the schemes and provisions offered by the ministry for those interested. Jayanta Malla Baruah spoke highly about the tural beauty of the district and the potential of the place. He said that ATDC was geared up to develop Umrangso as one of the tourist spots within Assam.