The North-eastern region of the country has off late recorded the highest growth in tourist arrivals in both foreign and domestic categories. According to official sources, over 6 per cent of the foreign tourists coming to the country visited the North-east in 2010-2011.

In domestic sector, the figure was more than 8 per cent compared to the all India rate of seven per cent. Disclosing this at a function in Guwahati, the regional director of Union Ministry of Tourism Depa Laskar said the growth in foreign tourist arrival in the North-east could be attributed due to introduction of visa on arrival.

She said the increased figures proved that the region was gradually emerging as a major tourist destination of the country. The official informed that a Master Plan was on the anvil to develop the tourism infrastructure in the area.

Stressing on importance of fund allocation, Laskar said the State Government should also reciprocate and help in the growth of tourist rate.

The special Leave Travel Concession (LTC) offered to the Central Government employees and the improved law and order situation in the militancy-hit region have also added to the transition in the tourists’ arrival figure.