Soni proposes subsidy for settig up hotels in Asom

Guwahati, July 4 (UNI) The Union Tourism Ministry will provide subsidy to entrepreneurs willing to set up 3 star and budget hotels in the state and proposes to promote the 'unexplored paradise' in the North East globally.

Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni, who was here for a two-day meeting with tourism ministers from all the North Eastern states and other stake holders in the sector including hoteliers and tour operators, stressed on the need for aggresive private-public participation to boost tourism in the region.

She said the Union Cabinet, keeping in mind the importance of the Northeast in the context of Centre's 'Look East' policy, recently decided to accord industry status to the hotel sector in the region.

Ms Soni informed that there would be slew of incentives for entrepreneurs ranging from subsidy on capital investment to set up hotels and upgrading existing government lodges by private parties.

She said the ministry would take up the issue of rationalisation of high rate of luxury tax charged from customers by hotels in the region as per policy of respective state governments and relaxation on travel restrictions within the Northeast.

The focus of boosting tourism in the region would be on rural tourism, wildlife, adventure tourism, religious tourism and promotion of river cruises, particularly along the Brahmaputra river.

UNI XC SP RN1450