Tripura CM Manik Saha emphasizes that tourism can transform the North-eastern region into a major employment hub. At a virtual DoNER meeting, leaders discussed enhancing cultural, religious, and eco-tourism, improving infrastructure, and boosting investment for sustainable development.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Monday highlighted that the tourism sector holds immense potential to generate employment and enhance revenue across the North-eastern region of India. Speaking at a virtual meeting of the High-Level Task Force on Tourism, Saha said that the eight North-eastern states can leverage their unique cultural, ecological, and religious diversity to emerge as one of India’s most vibrant tourism circuits.
The virtual meeting, convened under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, brought together top officials and Chief Ministers from the North-eastern states. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and several other dignitaries participated in the discussion, which focused on accelerating the growth of tourism in the North East.
An official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that the meeting discussed strategies to promote tourism through improved connectivity, cultural promotion, and investment in infrastructure. The participants also examined challenges related to accessibility, marketing, and capacity building in the region.
Tripura Showcases Tourism Achievements
During the meeting, Chief Minister Manik Saha underlined that Tripura has made notable progress in expanding its tourism landscape in recent years. He highlighted a number of initiatives taken by the state government to boost both domestic and international tourism.
“The tourism sector in Tripura has witnessed significant progress, and our efforts are directed toward making the state a major tourism hub in the Northeast,” Saha said. He also mentioned that cultural and religious tourism, especially related to Tripura’s temples and heritage sites, is being actively promoted.
Saha appreciated the draft report presented by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, which provided detailed insights and actionable plans for the development of tourism across the North-eastern states. He emphasized that the report successfully identified potential areas that could attract large-scale investments, generate local employment, and preserve indigenous culture.
DoNER Minister Stresses Collaborative Planning
DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, while addressing the session, recalled that a draft report on trade development in the Northeast had earlier been submitted under the chairmanship of Tripura’s Chief Minister. He said that tourism development should not be viewed in isolation but as part of a larger regional and global strategy.
“Each state should think beyond its own boundaries and plan with a national and global perspective to make Northeast India a tourism powerhouse,” Scindia said. He also urged the participating states to focus on infrastructure improvement, inter-state coordination, and promotion of eco-friendly tourism practices.
Tourism Vital for Economy and Employment
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat described tourism as a key contributor to both national and global economic growth. He stressed that a strong tourism framework can significantly boost local livelihoods while enhancing India’s cultural visibility abroad.
“Tourism is not merely about sightseeing; it is about creating employment, strengthening the economy, and building bridges between cultures,” Shekhawat said. He called upon the North-eastern Chief Ministers to take proactive measures to promote lesser-known tourist destinations and to invest in safety, hospitality, and skill development for youth engaged in the tourism sector.
Strategic Roadmap for Northeast Development
The DoNER Ministry has set up multiple High-Level Task Forces to identify key interventions and create short-, medium-, and long-term strategies for the integrated development of the North East Economic Corridor.
These task forces were formed following the 72nd Plenary Session of the North-Eastern Council (NEC) held in Agartala in November last year, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The comprehensive approach aims to position the North-eastern region as a national growth engine through sustainable development, trade enhancement, and tourism promotion.
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As the meeting concluded, Chief Minister Manik Saha reiterated that with better connectivity, investment, and regional cooperation, the Northeast can emerge as a leading tourism and employment hub of India. “Our region’s diversity is our strength,” he said, calling for a collective effort to showcase the Northeast’s rich heritage to the world.
