Guwahati: In what seemed like a massive call to action, government officials, tour operators, development partners, and other stakeholders in North East India's tourism sector gathered at Radisson Blu Guwahati in Assam for the 9th Edition of what is arguably the region's biggest event of the year. The aim is to discuss parameters for building a formidable investment climate that will not just transform the economic fortunes of the region, but also build a blooming business and tourism destination in India.

The three-day rendezvous which runs from 7th to 9th of January 2022 began on Friday 7th with an opening event. Rising COVID-19 cases in the national capital Delhi informed the decision to hold the fest in Guwahati this year with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols. According to the organisers, only individuals that have received at least two COVID vaccine jabs with proof will be admitted, while other guidelines such as masks, sanitization, and social distancing will be enforced. The festival was inaugurated by Governor of Assam Prof. Jagadish Mukhi, flanked by Assam Education Advisor Nani Gopal Mahanta, Journalist Rajdeep Bailung Baruah, Managing Director of NRL Limited S. K. Baruah, and the festival's Chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta.

As Governor of Assam said during his inaugural speech, "Assam is pleased to be hosting this year's event and brimming to reveal its enormous potentials to investors. We're aware of the present situation and have done everything necessary to make this event safe for all participants. This event, once again, is proof of the North East's readiness to do business in several sectors like tourism, tech, healthcare, agri-tech and so much more.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the inaugural event, the organiser Mahanta could not express his excitement at the turn of events and the impressive attendance. "As we promised, we adhered strictly to COVID protocols and ensured everyone behaved appropriately. The goal of the entire event is to discuss pertinent issues relating to the North East, and to celebrate the business and tourism climate, as well as the cultural diversity and ethnicity of the region in a grander way," he said.

Continuing, Mahanta noted that North East Festival has helped in creating a positive perception about the region. "It has become a calendar festival in Delhi. People of Delhi await every year for the festival to happen. The COVID protocols and the odds have kept us on the backfoot but we realised the story must go on. The idea remains one that is to connect the North East region to the rest of the country. In Guwahati, we are limiting the audience due to a surge in COVID cases. However, we have adopted a hybrid model wherein the event is also being live-streamed.