Tourism & Hospitality summit concludes, Gangtok Declaration chartered
GANGTOK, April 29: Identifying poor connectivity as a major impediment to development of tourism in North East Region (NER), the second day (28 April) of 4th Sectoral Summit on Tourism & Hospitality Industry came with the composition of ‘Gangtok Declaration’. The document reportedly forms the basic policy, thrust areas and detail record on issues and conclusions of the two days meet.
Addressing a press conference at Chintan Bhawan on 28 April, the Minister for DONER and Chairman to North East Council (NEC) Mani Shankar Aiyer pinned down 16 priority areas for the development of North East Region. “Tourism sector holds the highest promise for generating larger employment and income augmentation opportunities spreading and reaching down to all segments of society in all the North Eastern states”, Aiyer said.
Also attended by the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Aiyer in the press meet called on all the NE state governments to avail the advantages offered by Ministry of Tourism in its several schemes and NEC/ NLCPR funding for tourism development and promotion, especially for infrastructure related to tourism and the hospitality sector.
Aiyer apprized that the state governments must also prioritize tourism, including the priority issues as making land available, upgrading expertise to prepare project proposals and minimizing delays in implementing projects. The involvement of communities through Panchayats and Village Development Boards and also the private sector is the essence for development of tourism and hospitality industry, the Union minister added.
Appreciating Sikkim he said the state itself is a model for the whole country in terms of peace, tranquility, law and order. He also highlighted that as a result of Gangtok Declaration, DONER will undertake a massive publicity campaign to convey the message that North East is not at all dangerous for both domestic and foreign tourists from the security point of view.
Stating that the people of North East are exceptionally well-endowed in terms of personal and social characteristics, Aiyer said they posses a tradition of hospitality in their families and communities that can be fruitfully employed in the hospitality industry. He emphasized, tourism sector should be the thrust area for NEC intervention during the 11th Plan period.
Addressing the impediments to development of tourism in NER, the Union Minister informed of a concreted drive for rapid augmentation of connectivity within NER and between NER and rest of India, as well South East Asia. The government of India is said to invest about Rs 50 Crores on construction of roads and highways in North East during the next five years. The minister said every effort will be made to ensure that transmission and distribution systems are directed towards ‘Power to People’.
The press was also briefed that hotels (two star category and above) and adventure & leisure sports including ropeways, have been included in the new North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2007 (NEIIP) effective from 1 April 2007 that has extended fiscal incentives to the service sector. The hospitality sector is virtually rendered tax-free eligible for generous capital subsidies and interest subsidies. It was stressed that details will be available as soon as NEIIP is notified within next few weeks.
Addressing a press conference at Chintan Bhawan on 28 April, the Minister for DONER and Chairman to North East Council (NEC) Mani Shankar Aiyer pinned down 16 priority areas for the development of North East Region. “Tourism sector holds the highest promise for generating larger employment and income augmentation opportunities spreading and reaching down to all segments of society in all the North Eastern states”, Aiyer said.
Also attended by the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Aiyer in the press meet called on all the NE state governments to avail the advantages offered by Ministry of Tourism in its several schemes and NEC/ NLCPR funding for tourism development and promotion, especially for infrastructure related to tourism and the hospitality sector.
Aiyer apprized that the state governments must also prioritize tourism, including the priority issues as making land available, upgrading expertise to prepare project proposals and minimizing delays in implementing projects. The involvement of communities through Panchayats and Village Development Boards and also the private sector is the essence for development of tourism and hospitality industry, the Union minister added.
Appreciating Sikkim he said the state itself is a model for the whole country in terms of peace, tranquility, law and order. He also highlighted that as a result of Gangtok Declaration, DONER will undertake a massive publicity campaign to convey the message that North East is not at all dangerous for both domestic and foreign tourists from the security point of view.
Stating that the people of North East are exceptionally well-endowed in terms of personal and social characteristics, Aiyer said they posses a tradition of hospitality in their families and communities that can be fruitfully employed in the hospitality industry. He emphasized, tourism sector should be the thrust area for NEC intervention during the 11th Plan period.
Addressing the impediments to development of tourism in NER, the Union Minister informed of a concreted drive for rapid augmentation of connectivity within NER and between NER and rest of India, as well South East Asia. The government of India is said to invest about Rs 50 Crores on construction of roads and highways in North East during the next five years. The minister said every effort will be made to ensure that transmission and distribution systems are directed towards ‘Power to People’.
The press was also briefed that hotels (two star category and above) and adventure & leisure sports including ropeways, have been included in the new North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2007 (NEIIP) effective from 1 April 2007 that has extended fiscal incentives to the service sector. The hospitality sector is virtually rendered tax-free eligible for generous capital subsidies and interest subsidies. It was stressed that details will be available as soon as NEIIP is notified within next few weeks.
