In the above backdrop, tourism being a multi-sectoral activity can be promoted by investment in some major projects. A tentative list of such projects is given below:
1. Star Hotels/ Resorts and Convention Centres at Guwahati and other places
This premier city of Guwahati offers scope for large hotels / resorts of 4 and 5 star categories with modern Convention Centres.
2. Floating Hotel & Restaurant / Marriage Hall etc on River Brahmaputra
As a major centre of tourist attraction and to promote river tourism, there is ample scope to introduce "Floating Hotel & Restaurant / Marriage Hall etc on River Brahmaputra". Such a large project with all modern facilities and amenities has tremendous scope.
3. Luxury Cruises on River Brahmaputra
Luxury Cruise Vessel can also be linked up for cruising between Guwahati and Dibrugarh on the Brahmaputra, which is a National Waterway, with navigation channel for at least 330 days a year to be maintained by Inland Waterways Authority of India. Such a project can be promoted for the high-end customers in domestic and overseas market.
4. Budget Hotels in district hotels
There is scope for opening a chain of Budget hotels in district towns of Nagaon, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sonitpur, Dhubri, Barpeta, Silchar, Hailakandi, Karimganj etc.
5. Short Distance Flights
There is tremendous scope in operating short distance flights connecting the major towns of Northeast India.
6. Ayurvedic and Healthcare resorts
Assam's amazing scenic beauty with vast open areas and unpolluted air is perfect for setting up Ayurvedic and Healthcare resorts.
7. Leisure & amusement facilities on the Brahmaputra river
The vast river Brahmaputra flowing the state of Assam offers tremendous potential for leisure and amusement facilities
8. Hover Craft /Speed Boat Services on the Brahmaputra river
Introducing Hover Craft / Speed Boat services in the Brahmaputra may be another area which may be feasible for investment for linking some of the major tourist spots by river ways.
9. Hot -Air Ballooning, Rafting, Para sailing and other water sports
Introducing Hot air ballooning over Kaziranga National Park, Manas, Pobitora, Dibriu-Saikhowa National Park etc may also be yet another potential area as a viable commercial proposition. Likewise, investment for water sports like, para sailing on the Brahmaputra and rafting at Jia-bharali (near Tezpur) etc with all provisions of tourist amenities may be a very potential source of investment and development.
10. Golf Courses - Upgradation, Modernization and Management.
No other state in the country offers as many as 20 golf courses within a compact area as Assam does. A striking feature of the golf courses is the availability of large numbers of airstrips, which can be upgraded and modernized. The golf circuit will require modern accommodation facilities in selected places and investment for upgradation and modernization to promote them amongst the golf-lovers of the world and intensive marketing for their promotion. Promoting the golf courses and also the century old tea gardens amongst the present generation in UK, Scotland, etc besides golf lovers of different countries may be yet another viable area for investment.
The Govt. of Assam also welcomes project proposals with details of techno-economic feasibility report for setting up large revenue generating projects for setting up as joint venture with provision for equity participation by Govt. of India, Ministry of Tourism and the State Govt. The Govt. of Assam may also provide ground hospitality and other supports for technical experts for conducting techno-economic study for such tourism projects in selected areas.
The State Govt. will continue its Policy Initiatives for growth of tourism in the State. If the fiscal incentives available to other industries are also provided to the project/units under tourism sector in near future by the Govt of India, it will go a long way for sustainable growth of tourism sector in the entire North East region.