Our dream is to make Tripura North-East's tourism capital: Tripura Tourism Minister

The Tatas are coming up with a 100-key super luxury heritage hotel in the heart of Agartala, upgrading its erstwhile Raj Bhavan, which will have four heritage suites and relics of the Manikya Raj. This will generate hundreds of jobs in direct and indirect employment.

- RITWIK MUKHERJEE

The Tatas are coming up with a 100-key super luxury heritage hotel in the heart of Agartala, upgrading its erstwhile Raj Bhavan, which will have four heritage suites and relics of the Manikya Raj. This will generate hundreds of jobs in direct and indirect employment. Many other hotel and hospitality groups have also evinced keen interest in investing in the picturesque north-eastern state and are weighing various options. The state is building its tourism infrastructure and concepts and is seeking to turn the tourism sector into a revenue-generating and employment-generating one.

Speaking to The Statesman, Tripura's young and dynamic tourism, transport and food minister, Sushanta Chowdhury decodes the state's tourism roadmap and outlines where he wants the state's tourism sector to be, going forward.

Q: You handle so many important portfolios—transport, tourism, foods; if I come to tourism first, tourism is now considered as one of the most important pillars of any economy. So many initiatives have been taken after you assumed office; you have recently taken an initiative to create an amusement park to promote adventure tourism in Tripura. So, basically, what are your priorities in tourism?

A: At present, a special emphasis is being given to the employment of the youth in the field of revenue earning by both the central and state governments and our Prime Minister Narendra Modiji often says that tourism can change the map of India's economy. Our Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Sahaji also gives priority to tourism and inspires us to work continuously. And when he talks to me often, I tell him to give us one-and-a-half to two years to turn tourism into a money spinner and employment generator.