GUWAHATI, Nov 24 ? The rhythmic sound of the looms along with the intricate weaves and textiles they create could help Sualkuchi emerge as a major tourist spot in the country. According to experts in the field of tourism, Sualkuchi could be transformed into an ideal venue where a traditional economic activity blends with locational advantage to attract visitors from within the country and abroad.
?It is a place where textiles of exquisite quality are created by people in a traditional manner. That is enough to make it an ideal tourist destination. All that is required is that the basic infrastructure is developed,? said SL Khyriem, Regional Director, India Tourism. The proximity to Guwahati is another advantage that the town possesses, and tourists could visit the place within a day if based in Guwahati, he added.
The regional directorate of India tourism has already organised some programmes to make the local people become aware of the tourist potential of Sualkuchi. The programmes held in September and October this year sought to acquaint the people of the area about the most common expectations, which tourists have from their destination.
Those who participated in the programmes were given inputs on how to deal with tourists, and how to provide information from a correct perspective. The response from about sixty participants revealed their enthusiasm to embrace the idea.
The involvement of the participants could also be construed as a good sign when considered in the backdrop of private initiative necessary to develop a tourist destination. In an atmosphere where government investment is increasingly becoming scarce, private initiatives could establish the basic infrastructure required to attract tourists.
Among the significant advantages that Sualkuchi possesses is its closeness to the mighty Brahmaputra and the temple town of Hajo. According to Khyriem, Sualkuchi and Hajo could be packaged in a single tour that could include a cruise in the Brahmaputra. ?This could be an unbeatable combination because of it contains heritage, culture, and natural beauty in one package,? he said.
If pursued with sincerity, Sualkuchi?s emergence as a tourist destination would open up more opportunities of employment. While tour operators could benefit from the flow of tourists, the economy of the area would also get a definite boost as the arrival of tourists enhance the sale of silk textiles.
According to some officials, Sualkuchi could in fact be developed on the line of Suraj Kund in Haryana, where the annual handicrafts mela attracts producers and buyers from different parts of India. Even in such a situation, Sualkuchi would have an edge because the place itself is a major producer of traditional textiles of high quality and aesthetic beauty.
Gordon Bladd, a tourist from UK, was pleasantly surprised to visit Sualkuchi where unique textiles were produced in a majority of the households. He was of the view that the more tourists should be made aware of Sualkuchi?s existence. ?Its so rare to see a craft village alive and well in today?s world, why not project it in the right light??
It is indeed true that the State government would have to do its bit to help Sualkuchi appear as a major tourist spot. Adequate publicity about the place is a pre-requisite in this context. The State tourism department could also pitch in by organising package tours, which showcase the intrinsic appeal of Sualkuchi.