Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the tour operators under the banner of North East India Tourism Confederation observed that the ILP has had no effect on the tourism sector in Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
“ILP does not deter tourists as permits can be easily made on the arrival of tourists in the airport. Besides, entry permits are also issued from the Mizoram House located in many major cities of the country,” a tour operator from Mizoram said.
A tour operator from Arunachal Pradesh observed that the State Government has simplified the process of obtaining ILP in Arunachal Pradesh and it is available online also.
A tour operator from Nagaland, however, observed that implementation of the Protected Area Permit and insurgent activities in the State have affected inflow of tourists in Nagaland.
The Confederation was of the opinion that pressure groups in the North Eastern region should exempt tourists from the purview of their frequent bandh calls.
Meanwhile, president of the Confederation, E.B. Blah, said that the foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector in the country stands at Rs.1,07,60,071 crore and the industry has been growing at the rate of 11 per cent per annum.
According to Blah, tourism is the only industry in the North East which can provide employment besides improving the economy of the region.
He, however, lamented that the tourism sector in the region has not shown signs of considerable improvement.
Source: The Shillong Times
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