Kaziranga: The northeast region received over 125 lakh domestic tourists in 2023, a huge increase compared to 70 lakh tourists in 2014. This information was provided by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat during the inauguration of the 12th International Tourism Mart (ITM) organized in Kaziranga.
The minister said this growth can be attributed to rapid infrastructure development in the region, better transportation network, better tourism facilities and the development of new tourist destinations. He said the increasing number of tourists has led to a 2.5% increase in tourist accommodation facilities in the area, which has also boosted the local economy.
The Northeast’s contribution to tourism
In his speech, the Minister praised the rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, gastronomy and crafts of the Northeast. He said: “There has been an unprecedented rise in domestic tourism post-Covid. “Even after the pandemic, the number of tourists to the northeast has doubled in the last decade.”
He also said that in the last 10 years, more than 25 million people have come out of poverty and joined the middle class thanks to the Central Government’s plans. This emerging middle class has further increased the potential of the country’s tourism sector.
Contribution of tourism development plans.
Various projects have been implemented to develop tourism in the area under the Swadesh Darshan and Prashad programmes:
Swadesh Darshan 1.0: 16 projects approved at a cost of Rs 1,309 crore.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0: Identification of 16 tourist destinations.
Prashad Yojana: 8 projects at a cost of Rs 256 crore.
Assam’s famous Kamakhya temple, where many development works have been carried out under the Prashad scheme, is the most popular tourist destination in the state. Around 11 lakh tourists will arrive here in 2022-23.
Kaziranga Specialty
The organization of the ITM in Kaziranga reflects the growing importance of this region. The minister said: “This year marks 50 years since Kaziranga National Park became a national park. “The park area has increased from 400 square kilometers to 1,300 square kilometers in the last 10 years.”
The Minister also said that the event has provided an opportunity to people within and outside the country to see this diverse and unknown part of India up close.
