The first five-star hotel in India's northeastern region was inaugurated in Guwahati, Assam, recently.
Guwahati, known as the gateway to Northeast, has now become a growing hub for trade and commercial activity.
In the last few years, the city has witnessed a mushrooming of shopping malls, showrooms, apartment complexes and hotels.
The changing face of the city coupled with an expanding tourism sector is attracting many investors.
Recently, the Radisson Blu, was officially inaugurated.
The hotel group is prospecting to open hotels in the state capitals of Northeastern states.
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Raj Rana, CEO, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, South Asia, said, "I think the Northeast has great potential. The infrastructure and connectivity with other parts of the country is increasing every day. The population here is well educated, modern and wants to experience hotels like this. As more business comes in and of course the tourism opportunity that Guwahati or entire Northeast offers, all this can be built on further as long as good accommodation for people who come here is available."
Nikhil Vahi, an official of a hotel promoter group, said, "This hotel is a proof that everything is really going on well here and this is a standing example of how nice this part of the country is. There is a lot of potential in Assam and Northeast. I see a lot of development happening. This will encourage other developers and operators to come in to this part of the country."
With a booming economy and a steadily growing tourism sector, the hotel industry will only expand further.
Three more 5-star category hotels are coming up in Guwahati.
The growth of hospitality sector has also opened new job avenues for the youth in the region.
Arindham Mitra, a hotel employee, said, "Almost 70 per cent of the employees and hotel staff is from the Northeast and 60 per cent is from Assam only. It's very important. Also, it is a very good platform for young hoteliers who are working in this hotel to get groomed and become trained for the next level which is very important for them."
Boby Singh, an employee from Manipur, said, "This is amazing. This is the first of its kind hotel here in Northeast and it has created a lot of interest. It has created a lot of job opportunities as well."
The gradual return of peace and normalcy has brought about significant socio-economic change in the entire Northeast.
And in the coming years it will prosper manifold.