Agartala, Nov 16 (TIWN / IANS) A four-day tourism road show "Maitri Tourism 2014" began here in Tripura to boost tourism between Bangladesh and northeast India.

Inaugurating the road show here Saturday evening, Tourism Minister Ratan Bhowmik said: "A sub-regional tourism circuit linking northeastern states of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar can be established to encourage cost-effective cross border tourism and popularise historic and famous places of these areas."

"Through tourism people to people contact would be further promoted," he said.

Bangladesh Foundation for Tourism Development (BFTD), Bangladesh Inbound Tour Operators Association, Tripura Tourism Development Forum in collaboration with government-run Tripura Tourism Development Corporation are jointly organising the tourism road show.

"The main purpose of the event is to encourage tourists of India and Bangladesh to visit places of interest and establish tourism networks with stakeholders of the northeastern states of India and Bangladesh," said H. M. Hakim Ali, president BFTD.

Ali, who led the 15-member delegation from Bangladesh, said: "Tourism is the second biggest and fastest growing industry in the world."

The speakers in the road show discussed issues such as tourism tax and easing the visa process to further develop the tourism industry.

Tourism Secretary Ashutosh Jindal said the state government would help to organise package tours comprising northeastern states and Bangladesh.

Deputy Speaker Pabitra Kar and Sports, Youth and Minority Affairs Minister Sahid Chowdhury also spoke at the inaugural function.