COVID-19 pandemic: Assam tourism changes focus from global to local

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: To effectively deal with COVID-19 pandemic, the State Tourism sector will be changing its focus area from "global to local". Divulging this strategy, Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) Chairman Jayanta Malla Baruah told The Sentinel here on Wednesday, "We're preparing an action plan in this regard. The move will be to promote inter-district tourism within Assam and also attract NE tourists to the State during the fag end of 2020 and 2021."

He added, "We cannot expect any foreign or domestic tourists from other States during these two years owing to COVID-19. Experts have already said that while the effects of the pandemic will be fully felt during 2020, its impact will also be very much there during 2021.

"Hence, primarily as a precautionary measure we will not encourage the flow of global tourists here during these two years. Most of the foreign countries and also States within the country — other than those in the Northeast — have been already affected adversely by the pandemic."

The ATDC Chairman further said, "During normal times, Assam witnesses approximately Rs 4,000 crores of business annually. Our analysis says that during 2020, the business will slump to 80%.

"However, we're ready to tap the potential of the sector even during these trying times. We aim to do this by attracting tourists from the other north-eastern States to explore the rich historical and cultural heritages as well as versatile eco-tourism in Assam. Simultaneously, we'll promote inter-district tourism within our own State."

Mentionably, various stakeholders in the State Tourism sector elaborately dwelt on the hurdles being presently faced by them during the pandemic, at a meeting with the top department officials here recently. The Commissioner & Secretary Tourism, Government of Assam, Dr M Angamuthu informed them that the department had already compiled the representation submitted by the stakeholders and submitted it to the advisory committee set up by the State government for revival of the State economy. Meanwhile, he suggested that the industry has to forge ahead and make Assam the nucleus for promotion of 'Domestic Tourism' for which he also assured full support to the hoteliers and the tour operators in their endeavour to revive the industry. 

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