India at third position in the tourism sector after China and US
India attained third position in the tourism sector after China and the US and 13.92 million jobs have been created in the sector in the last four years, Union Tourism Minister K.J. Alphons said. He was speaking at the 7th edition of the International Tourism Mart at Agartala, Tripura.
“We want to achieve more, both in foreign tourists’ arrival in the country and earning from tourism sector. Last year domestic tourists increased by seven per cent from the previous year while foreign tourists increased by 14 per cent. Over 13.92 million jobs have been created in the tourism sector in the last four years,” said Alphons.
“There are many incredible things and natural splendours in the northeastern region. Northeast India would be the hub of the Government’s ‘Act-East Policy,” added the minister.
KJ Alphons along withe Reshmi Verma, Tourism Secretary, chat with the artists during the inaugural function of the Travel Mart
According to an official document of the central government, over 10.04 Million foreign tourists visited the country last year, an increase of 14 per cent as compared to 2016 data. Rs 177,874 crore was earned in Foreign Exchange in 2017 by the tourism sector.
The 7th edition of the International Tourism Mart, an annual event organised in the northeastern region, began on Thursday, 22nd November 2018 and will conclude on 24th. The objective of the mart is to showcase the tourism potential of the mountainous region before the domestic and international markets.
Addressing the mart, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb urged the investors and industrialists to invest more funds to develop the tourism sector in the state and the state government is ready to provide land and other logistical supports to the financiers and industrialists.
In all 53 foreign delegates from 18 countries took part in the three-day mart. Among them were China, USA, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Australia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, UAE, Canada, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands and New Zealand.
Folk dance performance by local artists
An exhibition by Tourism Departments of the eight northeastern states including display of beautiful and valued handicrafts and handlooms is organised to underscore the tourism significance of these states. Singha Roy said that besides the foreign delegates, 26 domestic tour operators from different parts of the country and 82 sellers from the northeastern states participated in the mega event.