New Tourism policy launched by - Assam Government

The state government of Assam launched a new Tourism policy- 'Tourism Policy of Assam 2017' on 19th October 2017 aiming to increase tourist inflow in the state two to three folds within the next five years.
While releasing the policy, the Assam Tourism Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that Tourism shall be accorded industry status in the state and all facilities and incentives applicable to industries shall be made available to Tourism industry as well.
The new policy will be effective starting from January 2018 till December 2022.
Important Highlights

• The policy was approved by the state cabinet on 17th October 2017.
• The policy paper is aimed to create a policy framework to move tourism into a major economic sector of Assam and increasing the inflow of tourists' by at least two to three folds in the next five years.
• Its main objective is to make Assam a film making destination by offering a range of incentives to movie producers to come and shoot there.
• It will also be encouraging the private sector to pro-actively participate and invest in tourist places in the tourism sector.
• A special incentive will be offered as additional 10 percent capital grant up to Rs 25 lakh for investment in remote or potential tourist destination of Assam.
• It also offers a range of financial benefits to construct approach roads and installing renewable energy sources at tourist units.
• According to data received in 2014, 45, 00,000 domestic and 20,000 foreign tourists visited Assam.