Agartala, Sep 28, 2023, By Our Correspondent
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha delivered a keynote address during a state-level World Tourism Day celebration at Ujjayanta Palace, where he unveiled various steps taken by his government to enhance the tourism sector in the state.
In his speech, the Chief Minister praised the natural beauty of Tripura, along with its rich culture and traditions, as major attractions for tourists. He reiterated his government's commitment to improving tourist facilities across the state and mentioned the successful appointment of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly as the brand ambassador for Tripura tourism. Ganguly's involvement is seen as a significant move to promote and expand the state's tourism sector.
For the safety of tourists, Dr. Saha announced the decision to establish a tourist police force. Additionally, a substantial project worth Rs. 169 crore, with support from the Asian Development Bank, has been initiated to develop tourist destinations in the state. To make tourist spots more appealing, Rs. 90 crore under Swadesh Darshan-I and Rs. 140 crore under Swadesh Darshan-II will be invested.
Minister for Tourism Sushsnta Chowdhury revealed that Sourav Ganguly would embark on a two-day tour of the state in October to spearhead initiatives aimed at boosting tourism. He also mentioned the recognition of Vidyasagar village for its outstanding contributions to rural tourism.
Tourism Secretary Uttam Kumar Chakma shared plans for a substantial investment of Rs. 1000 crore over the next five years to further bolster Tripura's tourism industry.
During the event, six stakeholders were honored for their efforts in promoting tourism, and the winners of a debate competition held to mark World Tourism Day were announced—Papia Shome (first), Abhishek Debnath (second), and Ritam Janapati (third).
The celebration of World Tourism Day included a vibrant cultural event featuring participation from distinguished artists.
This announcement marks a significant step in positioning Tripura as a prime tourist destination, further harnessing its natural beauty and cultural heritage.