Centre should remove tourism barriers: Naga CM

Kohima, Apr 28: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has appealed to the Centre for removing the 'barriers' of the North East region to promote tourism and the Centre's Look East policy.

The Fourth Sectoral Summit of the North-Eastern Council (NEC) to review tourism and hospitality industry of the region began yesterday in Gangtok.

DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, also Chairman of NEC, along with Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni and other state ministers discussed the potentialities offered by the region.

''The problems that affected THE tourism industry in NE are poor road and rail infrastructure, inadequate air connectivity, restrictions on foreigners' visit and insurgency,'' Mr Rio stated.

He said the main focus of discussion would be how to overcome the impediments of the tourism and hospitality industry.

Mr Rio also called for more equitable distribution of the funds being operated by DoNER and NEC, as also in the location of national or regional institutions.

Pointing out on the need to sustain tourism initiatives, Mr Rio hoped to build at least one Hotel Management Institute in the state.

'' The Summit will come out with practical suggestions and resolutions to convert the NE region into a real tourist paradise, he added.

UNI