Guwahati: The weekly Cabinet of the Assam government gave nod to accord industry status to the Tourism Sector of Assam on Tuesday.
This approval opened the doorway for units under the tourism sector to be included in thrust areas to avail of the incentives provided under the State Industrial Policy.
Although earlier Hotels and resorts above the three-star category and River Cruises were included under thrust areas of Assam Industrial Policy, now many new tourism units like Heritage hotels, Bungalows, camping sites, restaurants, amusement parks, ropeways, museums, tour operator services, adventure park, water sports etc will also be included in the thrust areas of the industrial policy.

This will entitle the tourism units and sector as a whole to receive the benefits available under the Investment and Industrial Policy of Assam which will put the due impetus on the growth of the tourism sector in the state.
While briefing the media, Tourism Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said that Assam has tremendous potential for becoming a tourist hub for both domestic and international tourists and can become a prime contributor to the state's GDP.
The industry status according to the Tourism sector will bring a paradigm shift to the growth of the tourism-based economy of the state. Substantiating his view, the minister stated that the tourism sector will receive an ample amount of private investments due to the new status received which facilitates incentives, subsidies, reimbursements, etc as per industry policy for the investors, and eventually, these investments will create new employment opportunities.
He also mentioned that infrastructure can be developed through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, which contributes to the overall development of a region.

Noteworthy is that the policy intends for sustainable eco-friendly investment through capital formation and the creation of gainful employment.