Indian Tourism, Govt. of India, Guwahati, Assam. saivij3@yahoo.co.uk

New Tourism Products Development in Northeast India V.S. Kumaran*

Indian Tourism Trend

The share of India in international tourist arrivals has progressively increased from 0.46% in 2004 to 0.49% in 2005 and further to an estimated 0.52% in 2006 and 0.55% in 2007. Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) rose from 3.46 million in 2004 to an estimated 5 million in 2007. Tourism makes a significant contribution to Indias foreign exchange earnings, which are from US$ 6.17 billion (Rs.27944 crore) in 2004 to an estimated US $ 11.96 billion (49413 crore) in 2007. The share of India in world earnings from tourism registered an increase from 0.98% in 2004 to 1.21% in 2006. Domestic tourism too has grown phenomenally over this period. The number of domestic tourists in India has risen from 366.23 million in 2004 to an estimated 462 million in 2006. North East India Tourism Trend

STATE 2004-05 IND FOR

2005-06 IND FOR

2006-07 IND FOR

Share in Indian Arrival %(06) IND FOR

ASSAM 2288093 7285 2467652 10782 2768824 10374 0.60 0.09 A.P 39767 321 50560 313 80137 607 0.02 0.01 MAN 93476 249 94299 316 116984 295 0.03 0.00 MEG 433495 12407 375901 5099 401529 4287 0.09 0.04 MIZO 38598 326 44715 273 50987 436 0.01 0.00 NAGA 10056 1084 17470 883 15850 426 0.00 0.00 SIKKIM 230719 14646 251744 16523 292486 18026 0.06 0.15 TRIPUR 260907 3171 216330 2677 2306456 3245 0.05 0.03

Source: Dept. of Tourism Govt. of India Tourism Statistics North East India is receiving very less percentage of the total Tourist Arrivals in India . The arrivals are not even 1% of the total tourist arrivals in the country. The positive thing about the arrivals is the states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Sikkim have the considerable share of the total tourist arrival. Specially North-Eastern Indian States which is blessed with an abundance of tourist resources, some of them unique. The flora and fauna of this regions is regarded as one of the 7 most bio-diverse regions of the world. The one-horned Rhino of Assam, Cherrapunjee, the wettest place on earth, classical dance of Manipur, the crafts if Tripura, the bamboo dance of Mizoram, the four century old Buddhist Monastery of Tawang and Kanchendzonga of sikkim are few unique attractions that the North East has to offer to both Indian and Foreign Tourist. These tourist resources has to be made into New Tourist Products according to the tourists needs. North East India has more than 550 varieties of orchids, Which can be marketed The growth of both domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in the states of Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura is growing due to the lifting of RAP (Restricted Area Permit) /PAP (Protected Area Permit)/ ILP (Inner Line Permit for Indians) from late 1990s. But other states like Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland still one has to get prior permission to visit these places by Indians as well as foreign tourist. Indian tourist has to obtain the ILP (Inner line Permit) from the Deputy Resident commissioner based in New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati etc. Where as the foreign tourist has to collect the RAP from the Ministry of Home Affairs or Home Secretary of the concerned state government by paying the charges. New Tourism Product Development Tourism development in the region started after the relaxation of the RAP/PAP/ILP permits in the late 90s . In the beginning domestic tourists from West Bengal and near by states visited the North east specially for religious purpose (Kamakhya Temple) is the most famous pilgrimage centre of the Northeast region. Apart from Guwahati domestic tourists visit to Shillong (Hill station) and Kaziranga national Park (which is famous for its one horn Rhino).Gradually foreign tourist numbers gradually increased in Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura due to the relaxation in the entry permits. After the foreign tourist flow increased gradually the demand for new tourism products emerged in the North East Region.

IIMK Part I Tourism Strategy IIML

Conference on Tourism in India Challenges Ahead, 15-17 May 2008, IIMK 38

River Cruise Tourism in Bramaputra River : Assam Bengal Navigation, is an Indo-British joint venture, which started the first luxury river boat, the Charaidew with 12 air conditioned en-suite cabins in the Brahmaputra River covering various tourist places. The ship operate on the Brahmaputra from October to April. And this project got the National Tourism Award for Innovation in 2004-05. The Brahmaputra cruises feature visits and attractions such as wildlife viewing (both by jeep and on elephant back), village walks, visits to tea gardens, exploring country town in cycle rickshaws, barbecues on deserted river islands, dance performances and visits to craft workshops. Wildlife and wilderness are the main features of a Brahmaputra curise- the river bed is often 20 or 30 km an empty world of sand spits and water with marvelous bird life and the occasional Gangetic Dolpin viewing along with the access to a number of Indias National Parks including Kaziranga, (UNESCO Natural site), Manas National Park (UNESCO Natural site as well as Tiger Project). After the runaway success of this project made the promoters to operate one more Luxary river cruise Sukapha with 12 air conditioned en-suite cabins in Bramaputra river. These unique tourist products are targeted on the high end tourist from mainly Western Families and middle aged couples pay at least 200US$ per night and make all travel arrangements through private tour operators recognized by government. The employment potential of tourism makes it necessary to look at tourism as possible means of regeneration of economic activities in Northeast. The Higher tourist tariff will ensure quality tourist with sustainability. In Northeast India due to its climate, terrain it is not suited for the huge manufacturing Industry so tourism is the best solution to all the problems faced by this region. North east being late starter it is still virgin, and a paradise unexplored, being late starter it can decide what kind of tourism it should opt for. Instead of going for the Mass tourism, they should target Niche tourism or quality tourism with responsible. Because the whole of the Northeastern Region is fragile environment which should be preserved and conserved with responsible/ sustainable tourism. In the River Brahmaputra the potential for the Luxury River Cruise is immense, Which can be harnessed by providing the opportunity to the private hotelier/ tour operator through TFCI Ltd (Tourism Finance corporation of India Ltd) which has been set up to render financial assistance to private sector for construction of hotels and other tourist facilities. Tax, incentives and concessions

The Ministry of Finance, in the Budget proposal 2008-09, has proposed to grant a five year holiday from income tax to two , three or four star hotels that are established in specified districts which have UNESCO declared World Heritage Sites. The hotel should be constructed and start functioning during the period April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2013. In North East the districts in Assam like Goalpara district, Nagaon district kamrup district has been identified under the UNESCO declared World Heritage Sites The same kind of Tax incentives and concessions should be given to the Luxary River cruises in Brahmaputra river being the floating Hotels. NorthEast Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP) 2007

On April1, 2007 the government approved a package of fiscal incentives and other concessions for the North East Region under the North East Industrial and Investment promotion Policy (NEIIPP) 2007 covering the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalya, Mazoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. The incentives are applicable to the following service sector activites/ Industries:

1. Hotels (not below two star category), adventure and leisure sports including ropeways. 2. Medical and health services in the nature of nursing homes with a minimum capacity of 25 beds

and oldage homes. 3. Vocational training institutes catering to the training needs in the following areas: hotel

Management, catering, food crafts, entrepreneurship development etc. Conclusion

The NorthEastern Region receives less than 1% of the total tourist arrival in India both domestic and foreign tourist arrival. By concentrating on the Niche market and quality tourist we can sustain the growth

IIMK Part I Tourism Strategy IIML

Conference on Tourism in India Challenges Ahead, 15-17 May 2008, IIMK 39

and environment due to the fragile nature of the product. Instead of the mass tourism we can make sure our destinations are unique destination. The North East Region is known for its lush valleys, unspoilt scenery , rivers, wildlife,etc has to open up gradually. To improve the accommodation facility for domestic tourist we should encourage more paying guest accommodation for the people to understand the local culture, cuisine, handicrats. Because it take time to improve the infrastructure for domestic tourist in accommodation sector. Government should give more emphasis to quality tourism by providing financial assistance to the mega projects like Luxury River Cruises, Adventure Tourism, or Eco-tourism projects in the ecologically sensitive places in a sustainable manner to protect and conserve the nature along with the employment to local people. Government should relax Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for foreign tourist and ILP (Inner line Permit ) to domestic tourist , so that the number of tourist flow can increase along with the development to the remote area of the northeast region other wise normally concentrated on the limited developed circuits. References Annual Report Ministry of Tourism 2007-2008 Bezbaruah, M K (1999) Tourism: the Global Scenario, Indian Tourism Beyond the Millennium, New Delhi Gyan

Publishing House. NEDFI Data bank Guwahati Assam Tourism Statistics for India in WWW.incredibleindia.org

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