Arunachal Pradesh eyes 20% growth in tourist arrivals in FY17

Mumbai, Aug 26 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh, which is hostingthe second edition of the ‘Songs and Dances of the North East’festival in the city, is eyeing 20 per cent rise in touristarrival in the state in the current financial year. "Despite physical, social as well as psychologicaldistance, there has been a steady growth of tourists in thestate. In 2015-16, we received 3.45 lakh tourists, includingdomestic as well as foreign. Of this, 3.4 lakh were from thecountry itself," Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Secretary JoramBedaa told PTI here. "Looking at the trend and our current marketing effortswe are expecting a 20 per cent rise in numbers in the state inthis financial year," he added. The first edition of the annual ‘Songs and Dances ofthe North East’ festival was held in Delhi, organised byMeghalaya. Bedda said Arunachal Pradesh is targeting premiumaudience so that the ecology and the natural beauty of thestate is not disturbed. Known as the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, the state islocated in the northeast and borders Assam and Nagaland in thesouth, and shares international borders with Bhutan in thewest, Myanmar in the east and China in the north. Covered by the Himalayas, the state is being promotedas an ‘adventure destination’ as it has rivers, mountains andforests and will soon get its own airport in Tezu, he said. "We are well connected through road and air to Assam.We also have regular helicopter services connecting us to ourneighbouring state. Besides, we also connected with Delhi witha superfast train," Bedda said, adding that there are plans ofintroducing a Rajdhani train connecting Itanagar and thenational capital. The state is also bullish on Bollywood projects topromote tourism and has regular meetings with the industry toshoot projects in the state. On 2nd ‘Songs and Dances of the North East’ festival,he said, it is conceptualised and designed to bind togetherthe diverse culture and heritage of the North East on a commonplatform and connect it with rest of India. The festival’s theme this year is ‘Come, Experience theNorth East’ and is sponsored by North Eastern Council (NEC). He said the festival will showcase ethnic delicacies,music and dance, from all eight North Eastern states — Assam,Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim,Nagaland and Manipur. PTI SM ARSKIS