The Centre has approved 86 tourism projects for north-eastern States, including 11 for Tripura, during 2007-08 and released Rs 13,970.58 lakh out of the total sanctioned amount of Rs 17,468.72 lakh for the region. Official sources said here today that the Union Tourism Ministry had accorded top priority to development of tourism in the region as it had great potential for employment generation and economic growth.