Manipur plans to resume tourism activities in the state post the oAdd Newngoing pandemic. The state plans to replicate proven ways to deal with the damage that the pandemic has caused to the tourism industry and looks forward to make Manipur a must-visit destination for travellers in the years to come.

Waikhom Ibohal Singh said, “We foresee a shift in the choice of destinations in the coming days. It is going to be a challenging opportunity for the domestic tourism industry. Sustenance and quick recovery will be our main objective post the end of the ongoing pandemic. In order to achieve this, we intend to keep a track of the market and understand upcoming trends, choice of travellers; adopt and implement guidelines and rules issued by the Union Ministry to help take up precautionary measures and make travelling to Manipur safe. We will, in consultation with our stakeholders, plan out a strategy to help the industry recover while paying attention towards relief measures for tour operators and travel service providers in the state. In 2019-2020, we received 12,102 international tourists and 1,67,334 domestic tourists visits.”

He further added, they are planning to develop an eco-tourism circuit in the state under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme III with financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Manipur is already connected by air with direct and connecting flights from many cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and north eastern states like Nagaland and Assam. The Manipur Government has recently introduced flights which connect Myanmar with Imphal. Railway connectivity to the state has also become functional and the entire railway network in the state will be fully functional soon. Also, they are taking up projects under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) to enhance road connectivity at areas like Khabam Lamkhai and Hannaching in Imphal East. For promotion of polo tourism in the state they are also taking up projects under financial assistance from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER Ministry).

He emphasized that Manipur has a lot to offer in terms of adventure, culture, rich natural beauty, exotic flora and fauna, ethnic and artistic diversity. To experience all of these, travellers often come back to visit other parts of the state.