Travel Congress to focus on strategies for tourism growth

Our Correspondent

Itanagar, May 23: The Arunachal Pradesh Tour Operators’ Association (APTOA) in collaboration with the state Tourism department is going to organize the XIIth APTOA Travel Congress 2018 with the main theme ‘Reckoning Arunachal, Beckoning Arunachal’ at Itanagar on May 25 .

APTOA president John Panye informed that the Travel Congress will give a major boost to the tourism sector of Arunachal Pradesh as country’s leading tourism industries will participate and give their valuable ideas and thoughts for improve the tourism sector of state.

Three major topics have been put forth for the brainstorming plenary session by subject specialists, experts, professionals, policy makers and other stakeholders in the sector, informed the APTOA president, adding that through this travel congress we want the State Govt to come up with proper policy for tourism sector in the State.

“We want growth of tourism sector in the state, but not at the cost of our rich cultural heritage and flora & fauna,” asserted Panye, adding that the Govt should formulate policies in the line of Bhutan Tourism which is not only tourists friendly but also good for the place.

Regarding difficulties being faced by the visitors especially foreigners to get Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Protected Area Permit (PAP) and Inner Line Permit (ILP), the APTOA president categorically said, the restrictions shouldn’t be lifted but relaxed.

Admitting that getting permit itself is sometimes tedious and painstaking, he reiterated that the visitors shouldn’t face difficulties while getting these permits and suggested the govt to do away with existing method and start a single window clearance through the Director of Tourism.

While inviting all stakeholders to attend the Travel Congress, to be held at the State Assembly Secretariat premises here, the APTOA president asserted that the collective responsibility from each and everyone is the need of the hour for the growth of tourism in the state.

“We also want to create awareness among the people especially youths of our state through this Travel Congress on the importance of tourism and its future prospects,” he stated.

Though Arunachal Pradesh has lately become one of the most sought after destinations in India, yet we need more collective steps to make it vibrant, said APTOA general secretary Bengia Mrinal.

“Through this Travel Congress, we wouldn’t only help the leading tourism industries of country get familiar with beauty and the hospitality of the state, but also want to press the govt for formulation of a proper tourism policy,” he said.

Around 18 panel members and three moderators besides stakeholders from all over the country and state will be participating in the discussion wherein the opinions of each one would be taken into consideration for formulation of strategies for sustainable development of tourism in the State in particular and entire Northeast region in general.