Tourism

Tourism has emerged as one of the prospective sectors of industry in the Northeast. Expert foresees a more explosive growth in this sector in the coming decades. In order to further accelerate the development of the sector, the thrust area pursued during the Ninth Five Year Plan were- (a) development of infrastructure; (b) product development; (c) development of trekking, winter sports, wildlife and beach resorts, (d) exploring new source markets in regions and countries having cultural affinity; (e) environmental protection and cultural preservation of natural heritage projects; (f) launching of national image building and marketing plan in key markets; (g) providing inexpensive accommodation in different tourist centers; (h) improving service efficiency in public sector corporations; (i) streamlining of facilitation procedures at airports; (j) human resource development; (k) monitoring and evaluation; (l) strengthening of organization; (m) creating awareness and public participation and; (n) facilitating private sector participation in development of infrastructure etc.

The North Eastern part of India is almost another world. It is a place of magical beauty and bewildering diversity. A land nestled in myths and mysteries, lore and legends and in many tender dreams. A land where the summer rains drench the hills meeting the misty plains, where exotic wildlife haunts the jungles, where flow rivers like the Brahmaputra, the Barak and the Imphal and where the trains whistle into dark tunnels only to open out to breathtaking landscapes.

With more than a hundred and fifty tribes speaking as many languages, this region is a melting pot of variegated cultural mosaic of people and races, an ethnic tapestry of many hues and shades. The folk culture is still vital in this region. The primitive culture of at least the neolithic age now co-exists with the modern and post -modern lifestyle. Well integrated with life and nature, the folk artworks have a common element of tune and tone.

Indeed it's a virtual paradise for travelers, searching for continuous joy in Pilgrimage, Adventure, Culture, Nature, Heritage, Wildlife, Golf and Polo and many more. All these make a rich panorama. It's a land in the twilight of imagination and reality. It's a tourists' delight , anyway.

Though Northeastern region possesses rich history, culture and scenic beauty comparable to any other developed tourist spot of the country, very few foreign tourists of the world are exploring this region.

Number of Tourist Spots and Tourists in North East India

Source: Arunachal Pradesh at a Glance 2006, Statistical Handbook of Assam 2007, Manipur 2006, Meghalaya 2007, Mizoram 2008, Nagaland 2006, Sikkim, A Statistical Profile 2006-07, Tripura 2007

Tourist Flow in NER:

Arunachal Pradesh:

Source: Statistical Abstract of Arunachal Pradesh 2006

Assam:

Source: Statistical Handbook Assam 2007

Manipur:

Source: Economic Survey Manipur 2007-08

Meghalaya:

Source: Statistical Handbook Meghalaya 2007

Mizoram:

Source: Statistical Handbook Mizoram 2007

Nagaland:

Source: Statistical Handbook of Nagaland 2007

Sikkim:

Source: Sikkim, A Statistical Profile 2006-07

Tripura:

Source: Statistical Abstract of Tripura 2007