Agartala, September 27: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday said tourism was emerging as an important driver of the state’s economic growth and could create more livelihood and employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.
Speaking to reporters after attending a live listening session of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 138th episode of Mann Ki Baat at Baishnabtilla Community Hall near Amtali bypass here, Saha said the state government was taking several steps to develop tourism infrastructure and promote its destinations.
The Chief Minister said temples, heritage sites and tourist destinations across Tripura had been developed and renovated following the path shown by Prime Minister Modi.
“These initiatives are showing results, with tourist footfall increasing in different parts of the state,” Saha said.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day, he said Tripura had considerable potential to use tourism as a source of economic growth and employment generation.
“Tourism has a major contribution to the economy, including revenue generation through GSDP and other sources. In many countries and regions, tourism has become a strong economic driver,” he said.
Saha said an increase in tourist arrivals would contribute to the state’s economy and help improve its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), besides creating employment opportunities for young people.
He said the government was working to improve tourism-related infrastructure and facilities and promote destinations so that local communities could also benefit from the growth of the sector.
The Chief Minister said skill development was another area of focus, with training being provided to people in local communities to enable them to participate in tourism-related activities and gain economic benefits.
He said sustained peace and stability were essential for economic and social development and that tourism could expand further only in a peaceful environment.
Saha also said Tripura currently ranked second among the northeastern states in terms of GSDP.
The Chief Minister attended the Mann Ki Baat listening programme organised by the Badharghat Mandal of the BJP along with BJP MLA Mina Rani Sarkar and senior party leaders.
In a post on X marking World Tourism Day, Saha highlighted Tripura’s natural beauty, heritage and culture and invited travellers to explore destinations including Neermahal and the Jampui Hills.
