IIE organizes adventure tourism fest in Assam
IIE Officials at the press meeting at Guwahati (Picture Courtesy: Manash Das)
Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) is organizing ‘North East Adventure Tourism Festival’ at Bogamati in Baksa district of Assam, from 13th to 16th September 2018. This is the first time an adventure tourism festival is being held in the region.
“The festival is being organised with support from the North East Council, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Assam Tourism Development Corporation, Bodoland Tourism, state directorate of sports and youth welfare and India Tourism,” stated the IIE festival Organising Committee at a press conference on Tuesday, 11th September 2018.
Various adventure activities like white-water rafting, hiking, cycling, ATV riding, wall climbing, zip-lining, kayaking, parasailing, paragliding, para-motor, trail run, obstacle race, rope activities and parkour are arranged in the festival.
A bike rally from the IIE premises at Lalmati to Bogamati, 90km from Guwahati, will also be organized on the first day, while a cycle rally from Baihata Chariali to Bogamati will be held on Saturday, 15th September.
“Adventure is in the blood of the youngsters in this region and it goes hand-in hand with the culture and lifestyle. There is enormous scope and potential to promote such institutions around this sector. We want to make the Northeast as a hub of adventure tourism in the country. The festival will help in establishing Bogamati as a new summer destination and it is expected to provide a number of job opportunities to the unemployed youth in the region,” said Abhijit Sharma, IIE Director.
The committee also organizes competitions on open rafting, photography, cycle race, trail run and dirt bike race in expert and novice category and will give cash awards for the winners.
“Other than adventure activities, traditional games, seminars and workshop on adventure tourism and rural tourism will also be held during the festival,” said Hemanta Rabha, the in-charge of the committee.
In order to provide accommodations for those who wish to stay overnight, temporary tents will be available at the venue. IIE is also considering setting up home stays in the area.
The festival will be inaugurated by Himanta Biswa Sarma, Health Minister of Assam, in the presence of BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, tourism minister Chandan Brahma, Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary and other dignitaries.