Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 413/14

3RD INTERNATIONAL TOURISM MART

Shillong, October 14, 2014: The Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma today inaugurated the 3rd International Tourism Mart and the Exhibition at the State Convention Centre, Shillong. The inaugural function was also graced by the Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge) Mr. Shripad Naik, Ministers of Tourism from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Parliamentary Secretaries for Tourism from Sikkim, Meghalaya, Secretary Tourism and Additional Secretary Tourism, Government of India, other distinguished guest and delegates from 22 countries. The programme was organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in association with the North Eastern States and West Bengal.

During the three day programme, the representatives from the region will get an opportunity to showcase their tourism destinations and to interact with the delegates from across the world.

The objective of the Tourism Mart is to highlight the Tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets and to bring tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from the region and West Bengal. Besides, this event will facilitate interaction between buyers, sellers, media, government agencies and other stakeholders.

In his inaugural address the Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism for giving significance to the tourism potential of the region adding that the ideas shared in this conclave will clear the doubts and misconceptions about the region and in the process facilitate the inflow of tourists to this part of the country. While enlightening the gathering about the historical connections with countries like Thailand and Cambodia dating back to the 1st Century AD, the Chief Minister said that this will also provide an opportunity to delve deeper into such cultural similarities and work on these ties to develop a mechanism where there can be a constant inflow and outflow of tourist to and from these countries. He hoped that through this Tourism Mart, the world will see the region as an ideal destination for travellers and expressed optimism that the inflow of tourists will increase manifold in the days to come.

While highlighting the growth of tourism industry in the country, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge) Mr. Shripad Naik in his opening address said that the Government of India has taken several initiatives to boost tourism sector with special focus on the North East. He informed that the central government is investing in proper infrastructure in relation to the tourism sector.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Mr. Parvez Dewan, Secretary Tourism, Government of India and Mr. Girish Shankar, Additional Secretary, Government of India.