Guwhatai, Nov 27: In a bid to attract more international tourists to Assam, the state government has urged foreign nations to reconsider their advisories that place Assam in restricted categories. Highlighting the state's peaceful environment and absence of insurgency, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called for a change in perception during the inauguration of the International Tourism Mart 2024 in Kaziranga on Wednesday. Addressing the audience, Chief Minister Sarma highlighted that outdated perceptions hinder Assam's tourism potential.
“If you look at the statistics, there are no violent activities or insurgencies here. However, foreign advisories, like those from Japan and the USA, continue to categorise Assam as 'restricted'. This is not the case with destinations like Jaipur or Karnataka.
We are actively working with foreign embassies and the Ministry of External Affairs to change this,” he said, crediting Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for his support in these efforts. Sarma also revealed that Assam is nearing the end of this transition phase, though he acknowledged it has been a lengthy process.
“We have been told it's a long process and it takes time. But now, we are through the transition phase. We’ve been inviting groups of foreign tourists to experience Assam’s beauty, peace, and culture firsthand, hoping they will serve as ambassadors for the state upon returning home,” he added.
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat echoed .
