Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba on Monday stressed tourism as key to a sustainable economy for Manipur in the future, pointing out that the significant landscape, culture, tradition and hospitality of Manipur are elements to boost the tourism industry.
Sanajaoba was speaking at the inaugural of Sanalei Resort at Lamsang in Imphal West. He further stressed the need to give emphasis in uplifting the tourism industries by utilising the resources which have been already granted to the state by mother nature.
With the improvement of law and order situation in the last five-six years, the visits by foreign and domestic tourists in the state has increased to a great extent, he said. The state officially recorded as many as 5 lakh tourists during the recent Sangai Festival, he added.
Sanajaoba who is also the titular king of Manipur further stressed the need to establish many resorts as most of the foreign tourists prefer to stay at resorts rather than hotels.
Besides, resorts are a good place for recreational purposes which are much needed by the working people, he added.
Concerning the reported misuse of resorts and other recreational places by a few individuals, he appealed to the people of the state to be more responsible.
