A study on Tourism in North East India: Prospects and Problems

Abstract:
India is one of the world’s most exotic, fascinating and captivating travel destinations in the
world. While the Taj Mahal, the forts and palaces of Rajasthan and the backwaters of Kerala
are popular sights. However in spite of that many travellers ignore one of the heavenly
destinations, the North-East India also called as Eight Sister States including Sikkim.
Therefore very few travellers visit the remote tribal lands of North East. This paradise is
known for its most culturally diverse region, its world famous tea, tropical evergreen forests,
intriguing tribal people, rare and unique wildlife, beautiful monsoon and stunning scenery in
India. One simply can enjoy the most authentic view of Mother Nature, and this is how the
NORTH-EAST India explains itself.

Though there's abundant of opportunities gifted by nature but for various reasons they are
still far away from the knowledge of people.

India's North East is a land of greenery, verdant landscapes, mist covered mountains,
beautiful climate and charming people. Consisting of 8 states North East India has some real
surprises for the travellers. But due to the ignorance and lack of concentration on making
concrete tourism strategies, our government failing to earn huge revenue and presenting the
best view of Northeast India.

Another difficulty is, a large number of tourist choose not to visit Northeast India because of
insurgency issues, transport infrastructure is relatively deficient in this area , lack of world
class hotels and amenities makes traveling here a little bumpy and slow moving at times etc.
So Government must plan, show sensitivity and immediate care to keep all the hindrances
away for the improvement of North- East tourism. The current study will depict the SWOT
analysis of the Tourism in North East India.

Key Words: Tourism Products, Tourism product Life Cycle and Economy.

* Assistant Centre Head, Esskay Logistics,Silchar Branch, Email:pran.kakolipaul@gmail.com,

Mob:8721957195
**Operations Executive, Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd., Silchar-1 Branch, Email:nrpm.ch@gmail.com,
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I.INTRODUCTION:

North-East (NE) India is one of the gigantic regions in India, which comprises of
eight states namely Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura & Sikkim. NE
India is bountiful in aspect of Natural beauty and Natural resources, which attract the tourist
but many places of NE India are still lagging behind to attract the tourist and there are many
reasons of it. NE India not only in abundant of Natural beauty but also NE India culturally
and religiously diverse region there are more than 100 tribes, different tribes has various
types of ethnic foods and festivals which specially attract domestic tourist.NE India is one of
the driven approach of Tea tourism and culinary tourism because there are various types of
unique ethnic foods which are not available in other regions of India. In present era tourism
sector is one of the booming sector in India, according to Travel Tourism competitive index
(TTCI) India in 40th position out of 136 countries (source: WEF report).In NE India there are
lots of tourist destinations or tourism products, some are leading and some are yet to explore.
There are many tourist destinations yet to explore. Significant examples like, the first sunrise
in India in Dong(a village in Arunachal Pradesh), the suicide destination of birds in
Jathinga(Assam),River in Dawki(Umngot River,Meghalaya ), having unique characteristic of
holding crystal clear water,Unakoti(Tripura), Sonbil(Assam) is Asia’s 2nd largest
wetland.Various festivals like Bihu, Hornbill, Lovely dance forms, Rock-cut temple at
Maibong built by Kacharis in 17th century, Khaspur, located in Cachar district of Assam is
full of ancient monuments of the Kachari Kingdom,Tea Estate and many more.

II.NEED OF THE STUDY:

North-East India is one the largest tourist absorb region in India. This region is rich in aspect
of tourism products and Culture, there are lots of tourism products but due to lack of proper
tourism management some places or tourist destinations are still heedless to rest of India. The
present paper will make an attempt to highlight current tourism scenario in North East India.

III.REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

The study of Krishnakhi Choudhury, Dr Papiya Dutta and Samiran Patgiri during 2018, they
highlighted the rural tourism and current trends of North East India tourism.In this paper they
also studied on SWOT analysis of North-East tourism, the SWOT analysis depicts the various
challenges and opportunities in North-East India.

Dr. Dinesh Das during 2012, highlighted the impact of tourism on economy and society.This
paper light thrown on the various prospects and problems of North-East tourism and also
suggest the tourism strategies & policies which can be beneficial for tourism industry. In this
paper author concern on foreign tourist, because foreign is the major propeller to earn huge
revenue.

Runumi Das during 2017, studied on the potentiality of tourism in Assam and specially
highlighted the various types of tourism, which can absorb in large number tourist. In this
paper author also mentioned the tourism is one of the major propeller to generate
employment and huge revenue.

Himadri Lekharu during 2017 reviewed the potentiality of Eco-tourism in Assam and also
highlighted the current scenario of eco-tourism with respect to challenges and
opportunities.In this paper author specially focuses on challenges like transportation,
infrastructure, insurgency group and tourism policy, due to this type challenges North-East
tourism still behind the screen.

IV.OBJECTIVES:

 To review the present scenario of North-East tourism.

 To highlight the impact of tourism on society.

V.LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:

 The study is based on only Secondary data.

 Not highlighted all tourist destinations/products.
 Absence of statistical data.

VI.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

The current study is descriptive in nature and based on secondary data, secondary data was
collected from various online journals, WEF report, Newspaper, publications etc.

VII. THE PRESENT SCENARIO OF NORTH-EAST TOURISM:

In present era tourism is in booming positions in India, There are six regions namely Central
India, East India, North India, Northeast India, South India and West India. Though
Northeast India is the smallest region India in terms of Area but comprises eight states which
is large number in India and also bounded by five international borders namely
Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. North-East India is not only plentiful
in natural beauty but also culturally diversified region, there are more than 100 tribes, has
various languages and various types of festivals & ethnic foods, which attract the domestic
tourist & some extent in foreign tourists.

SWOT Analysis of North-East India:

 STRENGTH WEAKNESS OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

Lack of proper well Various Types of

Lots of tourist
conectivity with rest tourism
destinations/ Climate Factor
of India and lesses
Toursim Products
number of Aiports

Various Tribes annd

Hilly Terrain Region,
their ethnic festivals,
Road network not Toursim Circuit Toursim Policy
foods habit, Custom,
upto the mark.
dance and Festivals

Limited toursim
Tea Estate(Tea Infrastructure w.r.t
Inner Line Permit
Tourism) demand, poor
facilities

Land degradatios &

Forest Landslide in Insurgency
Moonsoon

Green & Pollution

free Environment

Prospects of North-East Tourism:

Though North-East region is the smallest region in India in terms of Area but this region is
plentiful in all major types of tourism. North-East Region is the closest gateway of South-
Asian Countries which is one of the greatest prospective of North-East Region. For the past
two years India has been working progressively to not only ‘Look’ at its eastern neighbors
but also to ‘Act’ dynamically. In this perspective, North East Region provides the crucial
meaning to the Act East as it serves the only physical gateway to Southeast Asian countries.
Both central and state Governments should concentrate to improve interstate road, rail, air
connectivity so that new route of trade and commerce can flourish between India’s North
eastern states and south Asian countries. Furthermore states of North East India has closer
cultural and religion proximity with south Asian countries hence government of India should
take it as a flagship project to increase tourists inflows as well as for economic development
of north east.

Opportunities of North-East Tourism:

 Tea-Tourism
 Eco-Tourism
 Culinary Tourism
 Adventure Tourism

Challenges of North-East Tourism:

 Hilly Terrain and Connectivity.

 Insurgency
 Tourism Policy
 Inner Line Permit
 Land Slide

VIII. IMPACT of TOURISM on SOCIETY:

In present era tourism plays a vital role on society and economy. Tourism is an important,
even vital, source of income for many regions and countries. In the 21st century global
economy will be governed by technology, telecommunication and tourism. Tourism has the
potential to create the maximum number of jobs. Tourism is a cultural phenomenon; Culture
is an increasingly important element of the tourism product as it creates distinctiveness in a
crowded global marketplace.

The most notable feature of Indian culture is the adaptability. The Indian culture has
developed consistently because of its quality of adaptability. Most of the tourists were
attracted to India by its centuries old culture. Tourism contributes to the maximum extent to
the economic and the socio-cultural well-being of the country and of its people and provides
a rewarding recreational and cultural experience for the tourists.
For instance places like Meghalaya and Sikkim which has maximum tourist inflows, the
inhabitants specially women used to sell local agro-products & handicrafts in streets and
market places. These locally produced and handmade items have growing demand between
domestic and foreign tourists. Due to this tourists inflow the local inhabitants get an
opportunity to showcase their talent and earn money which further enhances the economic
condition of the state. Therefore it also boosts women entrepreneurship in this region
manifold.

IX. CONCLUSION:

Both Meghalaya and Sikkim holds high potential to attract tourists in their states. These states
are endowed with gift of nature such as lofty mountain ranges with interplay of lush green
valley, cascading rivers, waterfalls and many other natural beauty. However government of
these states should take more crucial steps in order to prevent tourist inflows from inclining
towards stagnancy. Apart from natural scenic beauty government should focus more on
developing manmade tourist attraction centres, improve air and road connectivity,
infrastructural facilities at tourist sites in terms of accommodation, transport, banking
including credit card use, drinking water, sanitation, health care, etc. The workforce in the
transportation and hospitality sector are yet to be sensitized regarding professional ethos,
decorum and visitor-friendly courtesy.

Both the states should give prime importance in developing manmade tourism products so
that they can retain domestic tourists and attract foreign tourists. For instance due to
insurgency and political instability in Jammu & Kashmir house boats marooned along the
outskirts of Dal Lake has been copied and successfully implemented in backwaters of Kerala
to attract more and more tourists. Therefore Sikkim, Meghalaya and others North-Eastern
States should facilitate more places of tourist’s attraction otherwise they may suffer like
Jammu & Kashmir. Unakoti in Tripura is an ancient pilgrimage centre. It is the place where
India's heritage stores its carvings and sculptures of gods and goddesses. These hundreds
of massive rock-cut sculptures and those made out of sandstone, besides
scattered ruins of ancient temples make Unakoti a unique place .

Apart this, Ministry of Tourism and North Eastern council should give importance on
developing sites which are either lacking or not developed or at deplorable condition such as
Umngot river in Dawki (Meghalaya) which is one the cleanest rivers in India.
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