Guwahati, Jan. 23: The Union tourism ministry has identified four places in Assam and Meghalaya to set up tourism and cultural hubs which will project the cultural heritage of the area and link it up with places of tourism interest.
These four places are Kamakhya, Majuli Islands, Tawang and Shillong. The ministry has identified 36 hubs throughout the country to harmonise elements of tourism and culture.
The places will be equipped with documentation centres, handicraft emporiums and similar facilities with improved infrastructure.
Officials said the hubs would help promote unique cultural traits of the area for attracting tourists.
Kamakhya is a major pilgrimage centre of the country with thousands of people visiting the area. It is a major centre for Shakti workship and tantric cult. The government is also taking steps to improve the road and communication to the temple.
The new tourism policy is expected to make tourism a major engine of economic growth, harness the direct and multiplier effects of tourism for employment generation and provide impetus to tourism.
It also acknowledges the critical role of private sector with government working as a pro-active player.
The ministry has identified an eco-tourism circuit linking Shillong, Guwahati, Kaziranga, Tezpur, Majuli, Sivasagar and Kohima for the first time in the country.
The circuits are expected to become great tourist attractions in the next couple of years.