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E - BOOK OF IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM FOR THE YEAR 2015 - 2016

Brief Profile of the Department

The Department of Tourism was bifurcated from the Department of Information and Public Relations in the year 1987. Its administrative head is the Secretary Tourism, Government of Mizoram. The Department of Tourism functions under the overall direction and control of the Secretary Tourism, Government of Mizoram. The Department has a Directorate but has no district office in the State. The Directorate, headed by a Director, is the implementing agency of the Department of Tourism. Its main function has been the development of tourism and its allied activities and building basic infrastructure for tourists. From its inception, it has been concentrating in building tourist infrastructure for accommodation as well as recreation facilities. It has developed a number of Tourist Lodges, Highway Restaurants and Picnic Spots allover the State. In addition, the Department has also been undertaking management of various Tourist Lodges and Highway restaurants in the State, meeting the demands of the Government, the tourists visiting the State and the local people as well.

As per Allocation of Business Rules, Government of Mizoram, the following broad functions are assigned to the Tourism Department :

1. Development of Tourism2. Administration of Tourist Lodges, Yatri Niwas etc.3. Conducted tours.

The existing post strength of the Directorate of Tourism at present is 109 out of which 95 numbers of posts are filled. There are at present 148 numbers of Muster Roll employees under the Directorate of Tourism. Since, management of tourist facilities so created is one of the core functions of the Department, these employees are posted at various tourist facilities.

Other than the Tourism Department, two agencies namely Mizoram Tourism Development Authority (MTDA) and Mizoram Tourism Development Board (MTDB) are also created. The MTDA is a society formed in the year 2008 by a memorandum of association and registered under the Mizoram Societies Registration Act 2005. Its memorandum of association also defines its membership, aims and objectives. The MTDA is chaired by Minister of Tourism, Government of Mizoram with members drawn from officers of Tourism Department, Government of Mizoram and representatives of tourism service providers in the State. The main aim and objective of the society is to assist the efforts of the Central Government and the State Government in respect of development of tourism in the State. It has been the main

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agency for implementing projects and other developmental works assigned to it by the Tourism Department.

The MTDB under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Governmentof Mizoram was created on 8th June, 2010 by the Government of Mizoram for promotion and development of Tourism in Mizoram. The chief function of the MTDB is to identify and recommend strategies/ policies for development of tourism industry in Mizoram.

Achievements 2015 - 2016

The Tourism Department has been making endless efforts over the years by utilizing the available resources, promoting rural tourism, human resource development and organizing fairs and festivals to place Mizoram as a prominent tourist destination. With financial assistance of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, schemes and projects to development tourism are being implemented in the State.

At present, there are 47 tourist facilities under the management of the Department and there are 14 completed tourist facilities which are yet to be commissioned in the State. These tourist facilities are scattered all over Mizoram and they provide basic accommodation facilities for tourists visiting the State.

Tourist Lodge Mamit Tourist Lodge Lengpui

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With a view to encourage private participation in the tourism sector, the management of 13 tourist facilities have been handed over to private parties for a tenure of 10 - 15 years by signing management contract with them.

Construction of Convention Centre at Reiek with sanction amount of Rs. 255.17 lakh funded by the NEC was implemented by the Department. The project was sanctioned in the year 2014 - 15, construction works was started in 2015 - 16 at Tourist Resort Reiek. This in-house Convention Centre at Tourist Resort Reiekcould accommodate 250 people. The project is now completed and will be commissioned very soon.

Integrated Development of New Eco - Tourism under Swadesh Darshan, N. E Circuit at Thenzawl and South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek, Mizoram amounting to Rs. 9490.00 lakh was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India during the year 2015 - 16. The project is being implemented by the Department. The project has three sites namely Thenzawl, South Zote and Reiek. Sixty eight (68%) of the sanctioned amount i.e Rs. 6448.08 is allotted for Thenzawl. A state of the art 18 hole Golf Course, 30 Eco Log Huts, Open Air Theatre, Convention Centre and Eco - Park etc. will be created at Thenzawl. Wellness Spa, Eco - Log Huts, Eco - Park and other nature based activities like nature trail and trekking route will be created at South Zote.

Convention Centre Reiek

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At Reiek Mizo Ethnic village and eco - adventure based activities will be developed. The project is expected to be completed within 24 months.

Blueprint, Eco Log Huts

Blueprint, Convention Center, Thenzawl

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Blueprint, Open Air Theatre at Thenzawl

Blueprint, Adventure Tourism Activities

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In its endeavor to develop human resource for the tourism industry, the Department annually sponsors students for courses (Degree Course and Short Term Course) in hospitality services in IHM Shillong and IHM Guwahati. The Department is allotted 8 seats of Degree Course each in IHM Guwahati and IHM Shillong. During the year 2015 - 16, the Department sponsors 15 students of Degree course and 3 students of Short Term Course to these 2 (two) institutes.

The Department organized two State level festivals during the year 2015 - 16 i.e.Anthurium Festival at Lengpui during September, 2015 and Thalfavang Kut at Tuirial Airfield during December, 2015. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 50.00 lakhs for organizing festivals in the State. Important components of the festivals are cultural dances, music and folk songs, different cuisines of the State, handloom and handicraft products of the State, different adventure activities and sports like Motorsports, Archery, Aerosports, Rifle Shooting etc.

Anthurium Festival

MotorSport, Thalfavang Kut Paragliding, Thalfavang Kut

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Food Court, Thalfavang Kut

Rifle Shooting, Anthurium Festival

Cheraw Kân during Festivals

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The Department also participated in International Tourism Mart (ITM) organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India held at Gangtok, Sikkim from 14 - 16 October, 2015. The ITM is an annual event organized for the North East states and that the N. E States take turns to host the event. Tourism products of Mizoram are showcased in this event.

On 27th November, 2015, the new office building of the Directorate of Tourism at New Capital Complex, Khatla was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Pu John Rotluangliana. The area coverage of the building is 929.22 sq.m and consists of 5 floors. The total expenditure for construction of the Directorate building is Rs. 217.32 lakh.

Revenue earned by the Department during the year 2015 - 16 is Rs. 222.01 lakh.

The number of tourist arrival during the year 2015 - 16 is Domestic - 66583 and Foreign - 830.

Directorate Building, New Capital Complex