Gangtok: The morning weather is fine and sun shining, all the guests arrived in the evening at Gangtok.Some including the Union Ministers, All the Governors and Chief Ministers of North Eastern States on April 26 to attend the NE council conference on tourism here to be held on April 27 and April 28. The two days meet began here at Chintan Bhavan, assembly area, Gangtok with the speech of Union Minister, DONER (Deparment of North East Region) Shri Mani Shanker Aiyer and Mrs. Ambika Soni, Union Minister for Tourism.
Union Minister Shri Aiyer in his speech said that Sikkim is the best performing State in the country in the implementation of panchayati raj institution. He further said that Sikkim is making good progress in tourism sector as well. He stressed the need for the development of infrastructure like better road connectivity, link by railway and air lines which are essential factors for the promotion of tourism in any State. He further said that the effort must be given for village tourism then district tourism and ultimately State tourism and in this regard, every State must have their own tourism planning and strategy. Despite the odds, he expressed that there is enormous potentiality of tourism in North East and holding of such a summit will be a good idea if there will be fruitful result out of it.
Mrs. Ambika Soni, Union Minister Tourism informed that the ministry of tourism, Government of India has provided 25 crores for tourism development in North East States. She further emphasized the need of the development of village or rural development.
Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling while delivering his speech said that Sikkim is best State in tourism development and one of the most peaceful State in the country. During the 12 years of his governance, CM Chamling said that due to the development in tourism sector, the tourists inflow in the State has been increased by 200 percent. His Government is determined to work for the multifarious development in the State and achieved most of its target in right direction so far. Other Chief Ministers and Governors of NE States too highlighted the tourism development prospects and strategies in their respective States.
The tour operators and travel agency are taking part in interactive session after the address. The main objective of holding the tourism summit is to promote tourism in North East. North East has enormous potentiality for eco-tourism, but peace is one of the essence that may likely to be discussed in the session. In the concluding day, again Union Minister, DONER, Shri Mani Sanker Aiyer and Mrs. Ambika Soni, Union Minister are likely to address the summit. The official machinery of host state Sikkim is fully geared up and an elaborate arrangement in this respect is made in full swing. The police is in high alert in the town and security is beefed up in every place of Gangtok area.