A tourism master plan for North-East is being prepared by ministry of development of North Eastern region (DoNER) which will study in depth the vast tourism potential of the region which needs to be developed.

"As envisaged in Vision 2020 North Eastern Region document, the region needs to brand itself and the tag-line 'paradise unexplored' will be promoted as NE tourism brand under North East Tourism Master Plan," an official statement here said.

The target of the plan will be to contribute tourism to the economy of the region with the development of hotels and restaurants, transport and handicrafts.

In view of India's "Look East" policy, the region has the potential to break out of its landlocked borders and engage in cultural, economic and tourism cooperation with its international neighbours, the statement said.

A request for proposal for Master Plan was floated inviting bids for Engagement of Consultants for its preparation. It was evaluated by Technical Evaluation Committee and Financial Evaluation Committee of DoNER and finally the contract was awarded to Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Mumbai.

The report is expected to be ready by December 2010.