April 28, 2025
April 28, 2025
ITANAGAR, May 13: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday said hospitality was the key to boosting tourism industry in Arunachal Pradesh, which has seen the number of visitors increasing every year.
“People need to be educated more in terms of tourism. Tourists come to places where people are friendly and welcoming,” he said during the launch of an audio-visual presentation on tourism promotion in the state presented by the Arunachal Tour Operators Association (APTOA).
He requested the state tourism department to conduct workshops and awareness campaigns to make people realise the importance of tourism in economic growth. He also urged the young minds in the department to come up with innovative ideas to add wings to the industry.
Khandu welcomed private investment in tourism industry to supplement the state government’s effort towards developing tourism infrastructure and facilities.
He informed local entrepreneurs about Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swalamban Yojana (DDUSY) that entails 30% subsidy on bank loans ranging from Rs 10 lakh to 1 crore. “Main purpose of this scheme is to boost tourism and to promote the growth of agri and allied sectors, which will be a big help for our unemployed youths,” he said.
On the issues of APTOA, the chief minister assured to raise the corpus fund from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh within this year. Acknowledging the role of tour operators in the development of the tourism sector, he welcomed APTOA to be a part of Team Arunachal to help the government in policy-making and in taking decisions.
He congratulated Kesang Lhamu Khrimey for her audio-visual presentation titled ‘Into the mist’ and appreciated her for bringing alive the beauty of nature.
The meeting was attended by Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Passang Dorjee Sona and Tourism Secretary Joram Beda.
