According to Australian Bureau of Statistics, India features as one of the most popular destinations for Australian travellers. However, travel to the eight North Eastern states –Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim – each of which is gifted with a diverse range of tourist attractions from splendid nature and diverse wildlife to colourful culture and vibrant history, has not taken off. The North East, often referred as India’s best kept secret, boasts a distinct geographical, historical, cultural and demographical combo, different from rest of India. It’s a great wonderland for vacation, wildlife, cultural festivities, as well as for travellers, who are keen to stay away from regular bucket-list menu.
To encourage more tourists to venture the pristine region of North East India, Consulate General of India in Sydney and Australia India Travel & Tourism Council (AITTC) jointly organised a tourism roadshow event on ‘Know North East India Better’ on 27 March at the Consulate premises. Over 80 guests from the industry attended the event which began with North East focussed dances by Nabonita Banerjee and her troupe.
In his opening remarks Dr A.M Gondane, High Commissioner of India gave an overview of tourism industry in India and the benefits tourism brings to the bilateral relationship of both the countries. With the region being open for tourism and the focus of Act East Policy, there is significant amount of interest in the region, and particularly tourism fits in well. He encouraged the tourism industry captains in Australia to visit the region, experience themselves and recommend to others. In the region, there is greater potential for investment in hospitality sector as well, High Commissioner mentioned. As one of the focus sectors in the India Economic Strategy to 2035, tourism will play a prominent role in the future of the bilateral relationship and North East could be an important component in that, he added.
Sandip Hor, Chairman, AITTC gave an overall picture of the North East and the elicited reasons to visit the region. In his presentation, Sandip said that North East has the potential to boost the overall inbound tourism figures from Australia to India and that this event is to provide the local tour operators information about the region, so it can be sold among savvy customers keen on experience of a different kind. He also showed a video-byte from eminent BBC travel journalist Rajan Datar and a video presentation on the North East by Northeast India Tour Operator (NEITO). It may be recalled that recently, AITTC and NEITO inked an MOU to promote tourism in the region.
Caroline Poiner founder of Artisans of Fashion – a social enterprise working directly with artisan communities across rural India, including in the North East also briefed her experience working with the North East region with focus on silk textiles from this beautiful region.
Chris Packett an ardent traveller shared his experience of travelling in the North East and recommended the region as a must see place. Moti Abraham, Business Development Manager Air India and Burt Niu Sales Manager Air Asia outlined their flights connectivity to India and the North East.
Air India and Air Asia offered complimentary air tickets to India as lucky door prizes. Those were supplemented by Secrets of India – a top end inbound tour operator with complimentary transfers, two-night accommodation and a half day city tour. Taj Hotels provided two gifts as door prizes as well.
Phillip Boniface, Co-Chairman & Treasurer AITTC presented the vote of thanks for the event.
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