Guwahati: A conference on tourism development was organised by NE Focus at Nedfi House in Guwahati on Monday. Titled the North East Tourism Conclave, it was organised to promote the tourism sector in the North East.
During the North East Tourism Conclave, sustainable tourism development in India’s northeast was discussed. Also, how tourism holds great promise for driving economic growth, preserving cultural heritage, and protecting the environment was discussed. It was mentioned that by adopting a holistic approach to encourage community involvement, environmental conservation, cultural preservation, infrastructure development, and collaboration among stakeholders, the region can harness the full potential of tourism as a tool for sustainable development. With careful planning and implementation, the northeast can emerge as a leading destination for responsible travellers seeking authentic experiences while contributing to the well-being of local communities and ecosystems.
The event was attended by various dignitaries including Anil Oraw, Regional Director, Government of India, Guwahati; Utpal Baruah, Chief Officer, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport; Amitabh Dey, Principal, Institute of Hotel Management; Tridip Sarma, President, Hotel and Restaurant Association; Sapna Medhi, Lecturer and Resource Person of Sonapur College Tourism Department; Arijit Purkayastha, and Tourism Consultant, Dr Sarat Saikia, Senior Agricultural Scientist and Sanjay Sharma coordinator.
Tridip Sarma dealt with the need for responsible tourism through co-existence with nature. He said, “Tourism has a trickling effect as a tourist can generate income for many during his travel.” Arijit Purkayastha spoke on the hidden gems of Assam which need to be showcased to the world to evoke interest. Sapna Medhi dealt with how tourism can lead to a sustainable future. She also spoke about her experiences by working on the grassroots level with communities.
The conference was scheduled for three discussions. The session was moderated by the panel of Swapnanil Barua, Ranjeet Das and Mousum Hazarika. The event was attended by lecturers from Sonapur College, Pragjyotish College, Cotton College and more than 200 students.
Ranjeet Das, the moderator summed up the session. He said, “if tourism is to have a sustainable future, we need to reorient our focus and put the wellbeing and interest of the local communities at the forefront. We need to build tourism through the idea of respecting nature, respecting the culture and respecting the host.”
