Guwahati: In a bid to harness the untapped potential of tea tourism in Assam, the state government's efforts to promote and develop the sector have been disappointingly slow, according to officials associated with tea tourism.
The ambitious plan to develop 50 tea gardens as tourism destinations under the Promotion and Development of Tea Tourism Infrastructure scheme has not seen substantial progress, leaving the sector in a state of stagnation.
Initiated in the Financial Year 2022-2023, the scheme allocated Rs. 50 crore for the promotion of tea tourism. However, the development in this area has been described as "pathetic" due to several challenges.
The proposed components of the scheme include the renovation of heritage bungalows and tea guest houses, modernization of the front side of tea gardens, construction of dining halls and cafeterias with modern amenities, and the development of additional facilities such as swimming pools, spas, and recreational activities like angling, boating, and water fountains.
Initially, the Department of Tourism faced low application rates, but the situation improved by the beginning of 2023. By March 2023, a select list of tea estates was expected to be finalized from the pool of applicants. However, progress has since slowed down, with the tourism department displaying a lack of enthusiasm.
Despite the immense potential of tea tourism to boost Assam's economy and make it one of the top five states in the country, the sector remains largely untapped. The slow pace of development raises concerns about the fulfillment of the state's aspirations and the vital role tourism should play in achieving those goals.
Efforts to overcome the challenges and expedite the development of tea tourism in Assam are crucial to unlock the region's tourism potential and capitalize on its unique heritage and landscapes.
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