The Northeast India has always been known for its natural beauty, verdant landscape and greenery. With the government focusing on developing tourist circuits, footfall to the region increased in the last few years.
However, the tourism industry in Assam is going through a rough patch following anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) protests that have rocked the state in the last few days.
As Assam was hit by the protests over CAA, several domestic and foreign tourists had cancelled the bookings to visit Assam and other parts of the Northeastern region.
In wake of protests, the Australian government on December 17th, 2019, issued an advisory to the citizens to not to travel to Northeast India, which has witnessed massive protests against the new citizenship act.
Similarly, the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Canada and Israel had also warned their citizens against travelling to the region in view of the protests against the act which was passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 11th, 2019.
The sector which plays a key role to boost the economy and generate revenue paving way for more industries has been severely hit following the violent protests.
With several public properties being damaged or set ablaze by the raging anti-CAA protesters, the state is facing huge losses in the aftermath of the protest. The agitations have hit the tourism sector and the positive investment outlook in the state.
It will take a while for the government to “fix” the image of the state. If tourist flow to the state picks momentum, it would also benefit many unemployed youths of the state and restore the ‘positive’ image of the state.
Photo credit: teaboard.gov.in
