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GUWAHATI’S Maniram Dewan Trade Centre was host to the Travel and Tourism Fair, TTF, early last month. It is the oldest and the largest travel trade show network in the country, organised in 10 cities in India, annually. Participants from all parts of India and some from abroad came together under one roof, to showcase their destinations to the travel industry.
Attractive pavilions were put up by the Indian states of Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir and others, to cater to the local tourists. China Tourism participated as the featured country. Assam Tourism, as the host state, put up a large pavilion. Some of the states presented cultural performances within their pavilions. With over 100 stalls from 20 Indian states, the three-day travel trade show was open for public on the weekend. Entry to the show was free and the visitors were offered complimentary souvenirs. As per the policy announcements of the new government at the centre, special emphasis was laid on improving the intra-regional connectivity and border infrastructure in the northeast, esp. to promote tourism. It is noteworthy that this part of India comprising the seven sister states and Sikkim can boast of unique attractions for the tourist. Apart from world’s richest biodiversity, the region also has some of the most holy shrines for Hindus and Buddhists. The formation of North East India Tourism Confederation (NEITC) is a welcome step in this direction, considering that the states in the region have a shared future, as far as tourism is concerned. The members of NEITC from entire northeast India will assemble to discuss what are the challenges and strategies to promote tourism in the region, on the sides of TTF.