Doyang River is one of the largest rivers of Nagaland. Located in Wokha district, Doyang River is popular among locals and tourist for its scenic beauty. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 21
Despite the euphoria in the potential of tourism in sprouting growth, there remains a plethora of avenues within this sector which needs to be explored and exploited for the maximum benefit of all the stakeholders.
Avenues such Homestays and Rural Tourism largely remains underdeveloped and underexploited. With each year as tourist, both domestic and international, flows into the region and in respective states, there is a greater strain on the existing infrastructure especially on accommodation, leading to inconveniences which is not a desirable outcome and could in the long run harm the industry.
This was stated in the Annual Administrative Report 2021-22 tabled by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at the ongoing 11th session of 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) here today.
Keeping this in mind, it has become necessary and imperative for the sector to explore the potentials of Homestays and Rural Accommodations, which are interlinked, to foster tourism in the region and contribute to overall development of the region and its people, the report stated.
In order to meet the growing demands of tourists visiting the state and to tackle the lack of sufficient, clean and proper tourist's accommodation, hotels and lodging services in the state, the Tourism Department of the State is promoting and encouraging the development of homestays and paying guests accommodations. Furthermore, specific infrastructure like tourist accommodation at or near the vicinity of the popular tourist attraction spots and destination needs thorough consideration.
Efforts for development of innovative tourism destinations combined with appropriate marketing and publicity strategy to attract private investments in the hospitality and tourism business is also being emphasized upon.
The Department is also promoting the concept of Community-based Rural Tourism through which local communities can derive benefits and facilitate participation and empowerment of the local people in matters of decision-making and management. For the purpose, training and workshops are being organized to impart knowledge and awareness to enhance local participation and use of local people to obtain significant benefits from the Tourism industry.
Some of potential inventories available within the Community-based Rural Tourism for further development includes community tour operations, cultural tourist activities, curio shops- displaying local handlooms and handicrafts, woodworks, traditional cuisines, creativity in showcasing cultural music, dances etc. Also, for ensuring the sustainable development of local community's promotion of self- help groups and NGO'S are also being encouraged.
Human resource development
It has been the endeavor of Nagaland tourism to put in place a system of training and professional education, with necessary infrastructure support, capable of generating manpower sufficient to meet the needs of the tourism and hospitality industry, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
In this connection, with the aim to provide new avenues to local population of Nagaland and people from the Northeast, Memorandum of Understanding between the State Tourism Department and Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) was signed on 27 November, 2021 to form an educational trust for the operation and management of the Institute of Hotel Management in Dimapur, the report stated.
The report stated the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland carry out registration of Tourist Guides and issue certified certificates after a thorough screening process.
Till date, the department has 16 active registered tour guides functioning in all tourist seasons.
The real human resource challenge for the tourism industry is recruiting and retaining employees with the right skills, knowledge and attitudes to their work, since Tourism is a labour intensive activity.
It is therefore, essential to adequately lay emphasis on this vital aspect of tourism and manpower development.
The department in collaboration with Nagaland Tourism Association conducted 2 days Tour Guide Training at Noklak District.
To create more avenues for the youths of Nagaland, the department has collaborated with HANIFL Centre: Woodstock School, Dehradun for 16 days Outdoor Leadership Training Course and has successfully sent two batches of Tourist Guides for the training till date: First Batch: 12 tour Guides, Second Batch: 14 Tour Guides.
