Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb Thursday invited prospective tourists to visit the state to see vultures that is becoming extinct in many other areas.
Deb and Union minister of State for Tourism K J Alphons jointly inaugurated the 7th International Tourism Mart here and appealed for investment in the state in the sector.
"Vultures are becoming extinct across the world, but they are seen in abundance here. Elephants move in herds of 20 to 22. You can make vulture points and bring tourists to see them," Deb told a group of foreign and domestic tour operators at the Tourism Mart.
He assured them the support of the state government in setting up tourist lodges.
Alphons described Tripura as "God's own paradise" and appealed for investment in North-East India.
"I felt it is truly God's own paradise. People in Northeast India are hospitable, incredible.... They have a legacy of music, tradition, dance, crafts and they are always smiling," the union minister said.
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He said that the investors should invest in hotels and suggested revival of a defunct airport at Kailashahar in Unakoti district for access to Unakoti an 8th century rock cut sculpture.
"India registered 19.2 percent increase in foreign tourists visiting last year, which contributed 7 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product and has created 13.92 million jobs in the last 4 years. But we want to double the foot fall of foreign tourists in the country," he said.
A group of 53 foreign tour operates from 18 countries including Australia, Canada, China, France, Bangladesh and Russia and America joined the tourism mart here.
Over 80 delegates from travel and tourism industry from NE region and 200 delegates from Tripura were also present.
The 6th International Tourism Mart was organized at Guwahati in December, 2017.