AGARTALA, August 9 (TIWN): Tourist footfalls have considerably risen in the state over the last two years. The state increased its revenue generation in 2014 -15 compared to 2013 -14, Tourism Minister stated here in assembly on Friday. Replying to a written question by MLA Ratan Nath, the minister said in 2012 -13 tourist footfall was 3,66,442, in 2013 – 14 it was 3,75,371 but in 2014 -15 footfall was 3,90,667 including 29,086 foreign tourists.

The minister said that the tourism department generated total revenue of Rs 169.88 lakh in 2012 -13, Rs 189.27 lakh in 2013 -14 and revenue generation from tourism stood at Rs 203.47 lakhs in 2014 -2015. 

He said: "Increase of arrival of foreign tourists in Tripura by a record 97 per cent was due to the state's natural exquisiteness, curbing of decades old terrorism and the people's affection towards the travellers."

"The Tripura government has also undertaken ambitious projects and master plan to develop tourism infrastructure and expand the tourist circuits," the minister said, adding that eco-tourism is being developed on a priority basis.

“There is huge potential for sub-regional cooperation between India’s North-East, Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is time that we can think of a tourist circuit encompassing the three countries and popularise the historical places in the areas of sub-regional cooperation, so that a better relation among the people of the region could be developed,” the minister said. With declining militancy, Tripura is fast becoming a tourist hot spot.And the revenue generated from tourism sector will give a boost to the state's economy.