As per an official report, the inflow of domestic tourists had increased by 37 per cent during the past three years which indicated positive tourist growth in the state.

The number of foreign tourists had increased by 12 per cent in 1999-2000, as against 1996-97. The state had received more foreign tourists from Europe and Japan, it said. The report said the government would initiate measures to make the state a tourist destination, both within and outside the country, by strengthening infrastructure and providing quality services. Infrastructural development will be done in a systematic manner after proper assessment of tourist arrivals and potentialities. Efforts are also on to develop places of tourist interest in the two hill districts - Karbi Anglong and North Cachar and the Barak valley.

Keeping in view the needs of tourists, focussed marketing strategy will be adopted. Adequate attention will be given to promote diversification and expansion, with emphasis in integrated development and management of tourist circuit, wayside amenities and lodges to woo tourists.

Additional recreational facilities will be provided to attract tourists in a big way, the report added. The report further said that the flow of tourists to Kaziranga national park, the home of the one-horned rhino, has increased tremendously and it has became dificult to provide accomodation.

Eco-tourism and rural tourism will also be given special attention. Being a service industry, the department of tourism has been making concerted efforts to encourage private sector involvement and participation. Efforts are also being made to attract foreign direct investment.

Necesary institutional changes will be made for decentralisation of the flow of funds to local bodies.

With more facilities and quality services, tourists, both domestic and foreign, arrivals are expected to reach a new high in the near future. It is expected that by 2020, domestic tourist arrivals will be about 21 lakh and foreign tourists about 20,000, and by 2025 the number will reach 27 lakh domestic tourists and about 30,000 foreign tourists. The tourist inflow is likely to generate a whopping amount of about Rs 1,12,500 crore by 2020 and about Rs 1,16,875 crore by 2025, it added.