Tourist flow increased in NE states

Aizawl, Apr 4: Northeastern states witnessed a steady increase in tourist flow despite insurgency problems and violence during the past few years.

Referring to a record of Tourism ministry,state tourism officials here today said about 35,07,958 tourists visited NE states in 2006, which was about 3.2 per cent more than 2005.

However, in comparision to other NE states, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Manipur have witnessed a decline in tourist activities in the past two years.

According to statistics, in Arunachal Pradesh, the figure went down to 3294 in 2005 from 5009 in 2004.

Similarly, in Manipur, about 3,81,000 tourists visited in 2005, which was 4,45,902 in 2004 whereas 2,64,078 tourists visited Tripura in 2004, but in 2005 the number fell to 2,19,007.

Officials, however, stated that the Centre had initiated a number of steps to promote tourism in the region including provision of tourist police at specific places and better lighting in and around monuments and spots to attract tourists.

The ministry had been working in tandem with other ministries like the railways and civil aviation to render better facilities for foreign tourists, officials said adding that besides, widening of national highways, all important tourist destinations of NE would be connected with surface transportation.

UNI