23 countries represented at 4th International Tourism Mart in Gangtok
Updated: Oct 15, 2015 04:37:54pm
Gangtok, Oct 15 (KNN) As many as 52 international delegates comprising of tour operators and media persons from 23 countries are currently at the 4th International Tourism Mart 2015 (ITM) currently being held here.
Further, 71 tour operators from eight north eastern States and West Bengal besides domestic buyers (tour operators) from different regions of the country are also participating in the 3-day event, according to an official release from the Ministry of Tourism.
Inaugurating the ITM, Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma Sharma said that promoting tourism in the North Eastern states was one of the prime focus areas of the government, adding that improving connectivity was key to promoting tourism in the region.
The ITM helps to showcase to the world the rich and untapped potential of the North East States, he added.
Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling was also present at the ITM organized by the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with the North Eastern States and the state of West Bengal.
The Minister informed that Sikkim will have its own airport in Pakyong, 35 Km away from Gangtok by December 2016. In addition, the Centre will work to create better road connectivity for the public through National Highways for the North East. He assured that he will discuss the matter of road connectivity with the concerned ministry.
Sharma appreciated the fact that Sikkim is soon going to become the first 100 per cent organic state in the country. The Prime Minister will declare Sikkim as a full organic state on his visit to the state next year in January 2016, he said. With the cleanliness and ‘no smoking drive’ of the Sikkim Government, the state has all the potential to become an ideal tourist state.
On the importance of tourism, Sharma said tourism is an economic engine for the country’s growth and development. Tourism can contribute 8-9 per cent to the GDP if we achieve 1 per cent share of International tourist arrivals around the World. At present India’s share in International tourist arrivals around the World is 0.68 per cent. Tourism helps to generate employment and women empowerment, he added.
He said that the facility of e-Visa has been extended to 113 countries and the Government will extend it to 150 countries by March Next year.
In his keynote address Chamling highlighted the initiatives taken by the Government of Sikkim to make the State a most preferred tourism destination in the region. He talked of their plans to develop tourism in order to showcase and share the cultural and natural heritage of Sikkim with the world. Village Tourism and Home Stays have a tremendous potential in Sikkim as the villages are well developed and well connected. A village Development Action Plan has been prepared for the purpose, he explained.
The countries represented at the 3-day event are Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam. (KNN Bureau)
Further, 71 tour operators from eight north eastern States and West Bengal besides domestic buyers (tour operators) from different regions of the country are also participating in the 3-day event, according to an official release from the Ministry of Tourism.
Inaugurating the ITM, Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma Sharma said that promoting tourism in the North Eastern states was one of the prime focus areas of the government, adding that improving connectivity was key to promoting tourism in the region.
The ITM helps to showcase to the world the rich and untapped potential of the North East States, he added.
Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling was also present at the ITM organized by the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with the North Eastern States and the state of West Bengal.
The Minister informed that Sikkim will have its own airport in Pakyong, 35 Km away from Gangtok by December 2016. In addition, the Centre will work to create better road connectivity for the public through National Highways for the North East. He assured that he will discuss the matter of road connectivity with the concerned ministry.
Sharma appreciated the fact that Sikkim is soon going to become the first 100 per cent organic state in the country. The Prime Minister will declare Sikkim as a full organic state on his visit to the state next year in January 2016, he said. With the cleanliness and ‘no smoking drive’ of the Sikkim Government, the state has all the potential to become an ideal tourist state.
On the importance of tourism, Sharma said tourism is an economic engine for the country’s growth and development. Tourism can contribute 8-9 per cent to the GDP if we achieve 1 per cent share of International tourist arrivals around the World. At present India’s share in International tourist arrivals around the World is 0.68 per cent. Tourism helps to generate employment and women empowerment, he added.
He said that the facility of e-Visa has been extended to 113 countries and the Government will extend it to 150 countries by March Next year.
In his keynote address Chamling highlighted the initiatives taken by the Government of Sikkim to make the State a most preferred tourism destination in the region. He talked of their plans to develop tourism in order to showcase and share the cultural and natural heritage of Sikkim with the world. Village Tourism and Home Stays have a tremendous potential in Sikkim as the villages are well developed and well connected. A village Development Action Plan has been prepared for the purpose, he explained.
The countries represented at the 3-day event are Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam. (KNN Bureau)
Loading...
