Tripura is set to emerge as one of the country’s leading tourist destinations within the next two years, with a steady increase in foreign tourist arrivals, state Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said on January 5.
The minister was speaking on the sidelines of the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Tripura Heritage Village and Sangeet Experience project under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, along with an amusement park at Sachindranagar in Jirania, under West Tripura district.
Chowdhury said tourism has remained a priority area for the state government since it assumed office. He noted that Tripura is working in close coordination with the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which have extended substantial financial support for tourism-related projects across the state.
The projects at Sachindranagar were laid by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and include the Tripura Heritage Village and Sangeet Experience project funded under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, as well as an amusement park supported by SIDBI and the Centre.
Expressing confidence in Tripura’s tourism potential, the minister said the state is steadily moving towards becoming a major tourism hub, not just in the Northeast but at the national level. “Our approach is to promote Tripura across the country and abroad, while also strengthening tourism infrastructure in all parts of the state,” he said.
He added that the tourism department is closely coordinating with central agencies to ensure projects are completed on schedule. “All ongoing tourism projects are expected to be completed within the next two years, which will significantly enhance Tripura’s position on the national tourism map,” Chowdhury said.
Referring to tourism trends, the minister pointed out that foreign tourist footfall has been rising consistently. Tripura currently ranks second in the Northeast in terms of foreign tourist arrivals, after Sikkim, he said, adding that domestic tourism has also seen notable growth.
Officials said the new initiatives are likely to generate local employment, improve visitor facilities and further strengthen Tripura’s appeal as a tourism destination.