IMPHAL, Sept 27 - The World Tourism Day was observed with the theme, �Tourism and Digital Transformation�, at the Marjing Polo Complex located at Heingang in Imphal East district today.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that the Prince of Thailand would visit the State during the forthcoming Manipur Sangai Festival, scheduled to be held in November.
Announcing that the statue of a pony � billed as the second tallest statue in North East India after the statue of Buddha in Sikkim � would be erected atop the Marjing Hill, the Chief Minister added a sum of Rs 15 crore has already been sanctioned for the construction of the �Imphal View� tower on the Langol Hills. A ropeway service will also be made available between the Marjing Hill and the Langol Hills, he added.
Highlighting the potential of the tourism sector in the state, Singh said a heritage park housing traditional huts of all 33 recognised tribes and other communities would be developed at Keibul Lamjao. The Manipur Cherry Blossom Festival will also be made a part of the Sangai Festival. Also, the light-and-sound show at the Kangla Fort will be held twice a week soon, he added. The Kangkhui Cave in Ukhrul district and the Tharon Cave in Tamenglong district will be developed as major tourist destinations, the Chief Minister concluded.
In his speech, Deputy Chief Minister Joykumar appealed to the people of the State to extend their support towards making Manipur a major tourism hub of the world.
Various cultural programmes and traditional dances were held during the World Tourism Day function, which was also attended by Health Minister L Jayentakumar, Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister K Shyam, Public Health Engineering Minister L Dikho, Dr S Ranjan, Chairman, Tourism Corporation of Manipur Ltd, Deputy Speaker K Robindro, Hill Areas Committee Chairman TT Haokip, MLAs O Lukhoi and H Dingo, the Chief Secretary and other top officials of the Tourism Department.
