Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said tourism is emerging as a key driver of the state economy, creating employment opportunities for youth through improved tourism infrastructure, heritage conservation, skill development and promotion of destinations across Tripura.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday said tourism was emerging as an important driver of the state’s economic growth and had significant potential to generate employment and livelihood opportunities, particularly for the youth.
Dr. Saha made the remarks while speaking to the media after participating in a live listening session of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 138th episode of Mann Ki Baat at Baishnabtilla Community Hall near Amtali bypass on the outskirts of Agartala. The programme was organised by the Badharghat Mandal of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with a large number of local residents and party leaders participating.
The Chief Minister said the state government had been working to develop and renovate temples, heritage sites and tourist destinations across Tripura, following the development vision highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to him, these initiatives were beginning to show results, with tourist footfall increasing at different destinations in the state.
Speaking on the occasion of World Tourism Day, Dr. Saha underlined the economic importance of tourism and said the sector could play a significant role in strengthening Tripura’s economy. He said an increase in tourist arrivals would contribute to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) while also creating new employment opportunities for young people.
“Tourism has a major contribution to the economy, including revenue generation through GSDP and other sources. In many countries and regions, tourism has become a strong economic driver,” the Chief Minister said.
Dr. Saha said Tripura already ranked second among the northeastern states in terms of GSDP and stressed the need to further develop the tourism sector. He said the government was taking various steps to improve tourism infrastructure, upgrade facilities and promote tourist destinations so that the benefits of the sector could reach local communities.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of involving people living around tourist destinations in tourism-related economic activities. He said the government was focusing on skill development and training programmes to equip members of local communities with the necessary skills to participate in the growing tourism sector.
According to Dr. Saha, better tourism infrastructure combined with increased tourist footfall could create opportunities across several related sectors, including hospitality, transportation, handicrafts, local products and other community-based activities. Such opportunities, he said, could provide additional sources of income for people and contribute to the broader economic development of the state.
The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of peace and stability for sustained development. He said economic and social progress could be achieved effectively only in an atmosphere of peace, stability and cooperation.
During the Mann Ki Baat listening programme, Dr. Saha joined BJP MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, senior party leaders and local residents in hearing the Prime Minister’s 138th episode. In a message shared on social media, the Chief Minister described Mann Ki Baat as a platform for the thoughts, experiences and positive initiatives of citizens and said the Prime Minister’s discussions on nation-building and social awareness continued to inspire people.
The 138th episode covered several issues, including the 10th anniversary of the Surgical Strike, the census, the Somnath temple and Sun Temple in Gujarat, nature conservation, campaigns against drug addiction, sports and agriculture.
Dr. Saha also used the occasion of World Tourism Day to highlight Tripura’s natural beauty, heritage and cultural attractions. In a social media post, he referred to destinations including Neermahal and the Jampui Hills while inviting travellers to explore the state.
“On World Tourism Day, let us celebrate the breathtaking beauty, rich heritage and vibrant culture of Tripura,” the Chief Minister wrote, highlighting the state’s diverse tourism potential.
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The government’s focus on tourism development comes amid efforts to promote Tripura as a destination for visitors while strengthening local economic participation. With its historical sites, temples, natural landscapes, lakes and hill areas, the state has several tourism resources that can support the expansion of the sector.
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Dr. Saha said continued development of tourism infrastructure, promotion of destinations and skill development among local communities would be important for ensuring that the sector contributes more significantly to Tripura’s economy and employment generation in the coming years.
