The ongoing pandemic came as an unprecedented blow to everyone across the world. And the travel and tourism sector is among the worst affected. However, there’s always scope to stand back up. In a tete-e-tete with Discover East, Navadeep Kalita, Vice Chairman, Assam Tourism Development Corporation, reveals more about the current tourism scenario of Assam and the measures being taken for its revival.
How has been the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism sector of Assam?
The entire world has been gripped by the ongoing pandemic and Assam is no exception. Before the outbreak of Covid-19, the Tourism department of Assam had taken several initiatives to boost the tourism sector be it the International Tourism Mart, Dwijing Festival both of which were a huge success. Then the grand Filmfare Awards was held in Assam. Our then Brand Ambassador Priyanka Chopra too helped in promoting our state and its culture across the country and beyond borders.
How was the tourism scenario in the state before the outbreak of Covid-19?
Under our governance, Assam witnessed inflow of nearly 60 lakh domestic tourists and about 42000 foreign tourists into the state in the pre-covid time. We had launched the ‘Aamaar Aalohi’ – Rural Home-stay Scheme to give the tourist an authentic and ethnic experience of our culture and cuisines. The government gave up to 80 per cent subsidy on it. The scheme was a great success. Unfortunately the growth got hindered due to the Covid – 19 pandemic. But we have to take this as an opportunity to revive and reinvent the tourism of our state.
What are the measures taken by the government to revive the tourism in the state and to help the people who are financially dependent on Tourism?
To undo the damages caused by Covid-19, government of Assam has come up with several initiatives. Our hon’ble Chief Minister Sarbnanda Sonowal has already announced that ‘Paryatan Sanjeevani Scheme’, a scheme under which loan, amounting from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh would be given to the people who are financially dependent on the tourism sector. The loan would be given for a period of five years and no interest will be charged for one year. Along with this scheme, the Chief Minister also unveiled ‘Paryatan Sarathi’ a pre-loaded device which will be an one stop hub for information related to Assam tourism, bookings, hotels, online payment facilities etc. Also, the government is planning to develop Maguri beel as tourist hotpot. The work on these schemes will be started within few days.
Details of the schemes are available here.
Do you have any message for our readers on the occasion World Tourism Day?
Assam is a diverse state in terms of culture, cuisines and customs. There’s a lot to explore within the state itself. We hope to encourage people to explore the state first. There are many unexplored places within the state. Perhaps there are very people who have explored the entire state. Instead of going outside the state, people can explore within the state. People from Barpeta can go to Majuli, people from Majuli can go to Bordua, people from Bordua can go to Lakhimpur and so on. Along with the places we can also explore the different mouth-watering cuisines from different regions of the state. When we will be equipped with all the knowledge of our home then only we can share the insights and stories of our state with our guests. With these efforts we can
Conclusively, I hope that when the world has healed and people from beyond borders or across the country plan to travel, Assam feature in their bucket lists.
