Assam government introduces new, sustainable tourism policy 2022

Team L&M

To drive sustainable development in the state of Assam, a new Tourism Policy 2022 has been launched by Jayanta Malla Baruah, Minister, Public Health Engineering, Skill Development Employment & Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Government of Assam on the side-lines of Assam Tourism Road Show 2022, hosted by the Department of Tourism, Government of Assam. The event also witnessed panel discussions, audio video presentations, cultural dance performances and B2B interactive sessions to invite entrepreneurs and investors to make the state their investment destination.

The new policy, prepared after extensive consultations with the World Bank, has been laid out at an opportune time when the state stands at the threshold of new beginnings. It aims to guarantee and safeguard the effective standardisation of processes and practices, to foster uniformity which can result in sustainability and an overall improvement in the quality of tourism products.

“Our goal with this new policy is to enable the world to view it from the point of view of the attraction. The presence of pristine water, forests, mountains, and rivers provides the state with limitless possibilities in the field of tourism. The new policy reflects the same goal. Assam is sure to enchant the travellers with what it has to offer at every nook and corner. For investors, we have also come up with special packages,” said Malla Baruah. He further stated that

The mission of the policy is “to create a policy framework and strategic roadmap in collaboration with central ministries, various state government departments, local communities and tourism stakeholders to improve the tourism sector in Assam, to support the private sector engaged in tourism in the state, and to strengthen tourism support segments and its sub-sectors”.

“The policy’s fundamental guiding principle is to encourage sustainability and foster responsible tourism, to make Assam a sustainable and responsible tourism destination. The goal is to promote sustainability by limiting the negative effects of tourism on social, environmental, and economic sectors while ensuring the positive effects. The strategy shall also promote responsible tourism, which shall bring together all stakeholders to share responsibility for creating a better environment for people to live and visit,” added Maninder Singh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Assam.

Keeping in mind the objective of employing the local youth, the Department of Tourism will facilitate on-the-job training to be provided by employers for local employees in hotels and resorts. These programmes will aim to advance women for management and leadership positions in their companies and encourage employers to provide childcare support and safe transport for female workers, particularly those working at night. Particular efforts will be made to train women in male-dominated positions such as guides, cooks, waiters and drivers and provide recognition to firms that encourage women in these positions.