A three-day long travel fair began in Assam, with a focus on regional, national and international tourism activities.
The Travel and Tourism Mart 2014 was inaugurated by Deputy Director General, Ministry of Tourism and regional director of all northeastern states, Sanjay Sreevats, in Guwahati city.
The organisers of the fair said the main objective of this fair is to provide a platform to tourism departments and tour operators of northeastern states to promote tourism, and also offer them an opportunity to interact with participants from across the country.
"Northeast regions are included in the high priority list of tourism ministry under government of India. And that is why every year ITM (International Travel Mart) is being organised in northeastern provinces. It has been held in Guwahati, after that it was held in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh and next ITM will be held in Shillong," said Sreevats.
The objective of all this is to develop tourism in northeastern states. And for this we are inviting a large number of media people and tour operators so that they can see northeast and tell the world about the potential of tourism them," he said.
The travel trade exhibition is providing a perfect palette for all aspects of tourism activity. The government of Assam wants to strengthen the travel industry and develop the state on the tourism map.
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Participants from Mizoram conceded that tourism is still in infant stage as far as its development is concerned. However, they are participating in the fair with the aim of spreading awareness about the possibilities of tourism in their state.
"Our objective is to spread awareness among people that Mizoram is a tourist destination and we are looking for this by interacting with participants from India and other countries," said tourism official from state government of Mizoram, Tluangi.
There are around 25 participants in the fair including tour operators, government tourism departments, Indian airlines, Incredible India and representatives of tourism ministries from China and Thailand.
The travel fair is showcasing stimulating travel, tourism, hospitality, leisure and other related industries, both from India and abroad, also bringing about a face-to-face encounter with the travel-trade, hoteliers, and other stake holders.
Tourism departments of China and Thailand have set up their information stalls as well in the fair.
The official delegation from China mentioned that joint initiatives should be taken up by both the countries in order to promote tourism.
"Both sides (India and China) should take initiative to promote tourism. My first vision is to let each side know that India and China are both attractive and colourful destinations. Secondly, one should know how to go to China, if is it affordable or not, if it is attractive or not. That is why I have come here," said Deputy Director of tourism ministry of China, Li Qianguo.
Apart from northeastern states, Travel and Tourism Mart is witnessing the presence of participants from Kolkata, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.