In a bid to increase the extend the reach and effects of the tourism sector, the Assam Cabinet has decided to grant industry status to the sector.
This announcement was made by the Tourism Minister of Assam, Jayanta Malla Baruah. This decision will open the gates to set up several units pertaining to tourism in the state. Also it will allow these new units to get subsidies, incentives and other benefits under the Industrial Policy.
Earlier only star category hotels and resorts and river cruises came under Assam Industrial Policy. But now several other types of tourism related infrastructures as well as services can be included in this list. It will allow the units to receive benefits available under the Investment and Industrial Policy of Assam. And making way for the rapid growth of the sector as well as the economy of the state.
Some of the new categories to get industry status are as follows.
- Hotel, motel, budget hotel or lodge.
- Heritage hotel, bungalow or luxury eco-lodges.
- Permanent Campsite
- Restaurant or cafeteria.
- Health club, spa or wellness center.
- Amusement park.
- Animal safari.
- Adventure park, sports or water sports.
- Tour operator services.
- Rope-way projects.
- Museums.
- River cruises.
The projects will be developed with a PPP model according to the Assam government.
These steps will aim at making the state as well as the region becoming a tourism hub of the country. And the income from both domestic and international tourists will become a prime contributor to the GDP of the state. Thus leading to a major paradigm shift towards a tourism based economy in the state.
