Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 27
Harping on the uniqueness of Naga culture, custom, life-style, festivals and food – besides the scenic natural beauty – Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, today underlined the need to harness the latent potentials to promote tourism sector in the state.Addressing the gathering to commemorate the United Nation World Tourism Day at the DC’s New Office Complex, Peren, Zeliang said that Nagaland has not been able to extensively explore in the tourism sector upto the expectation despite its immense potentials. He was confident that Nagaland could contribute immensely to promotion of tourism with the endowed potentials with concerted efforts from all sections of the society.
Zeliang cited uniqueness of Naga culture, custom, life-style and food as an additional advantage for consistent source of attraction for inflow of tourists in the state. Besides the annual Hornbill festival, he said various tribal festivals around the year could also attract tourists.
Elaborating on the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day “One billion tourists, one billion opportunities,” Zeliang said, it was intended to focus on the transformative potential of one billion tourists, its effects on creation of employment opportunities, and on the economy of the country. He said more than a billion tourists who traveled to predetermined destinations have made tourism a leading economic sector, contributing to 10% of the global GDP and 6% of the world’s total export.
Zeliang said today the old concept of a ‘tourist’ as a mere traveler for sight-seeing has faded, while a new concept of a ‘tourist’ is emerging, that of someone who does not limit himself to visiting a place, but in some way becomes an integral part of it. He said the ‘citizen of the world’ is born – no longer to see, but to belong; not to look around, but to experience; no longer to analyze, but to take part; and not without respect for what and whom he encounters.
He, therefore, said the businesses and the entrepreneurs in the tourism sector need to be committed to achieving the common good and to take advantage of the billion opportunities arising out of tourism.
Zeliang said the final objective of the tourism industry should not only be profit, but equally important is offering tourists the means to achieve the experience they are looking for. He said tourism businesses should be conducted with due respect for people’s culture and sensibilities and due care for the environment.
“The business of tourism should also be conducted in such a way that it contributes to better understanding and development of universal brotherhood of mankind,” Zeliang said. In the context of Nagaland, the Chief Minister said instead of speaking in terms of millions, “one lakh tourists, one lakh opportunities” would be a good and humble beginning. Zeliang also said that the state should try to manage the tourist inflow into Nagaland in such a way that it happens throughout the year and not only during the Hornbill Festival.
While stressing on the need to supplement the efforts of the government towards creation of more accommodation facilities for tourists throughout the state, Zeliang encouraged the private parties to invest in the hospitality sector. He added that individual families could also participate in this endeavor by starting the practice of providing paying-guest facilities to tourists.
Pointing out that Nagas are known for their traditional hospitality, Zeliang stressed that we should be able to make tourists feel at home without any difficulty. He also reminded that treating tourists well is very important because they are not only our source of income but also ambassadors of our society to the outside world.
Zeliang further appealed to the villagers in Nagaland for community participation to promote tourism and related activities. He said since the state’s natural landscapes are the main attraction to tourists, the villagers should work collectively to preserve the flora and fauna.
Guest of honour and Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, C Apok Jamir, in his address said tourism is an area which needed to be harnessed for progress and development of Nagaland. To translate the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day into reality, Apok said every citizen should make concerted effort. He said the natural beauty of the state and its people, known for their hospitality, could attract tourists.
On the occasion, Apok also proposed policies which are pragmatic to create avenues for economic development and promote tourism. He further proposed to provide peaceful atmosphere with neighboring states to promote tourism in the State.
Secretary of Tourism and Art & Culture, Angau I Thou, in her keynote address, stressed on rural tourism which according to her is not an end in itself but means to rural development in alignment with the government’s larger agenda of social growth.
Stating that Nagaland is a beautiful and exotic state with a colorful and vibrant history of cultures and culinary treasures, she however, said our Naga culinary strength has not significantly translated into any tourism centric benefit and it has largely remained a huge untapped area. Quoting Pico Iyer who said, ‘the best trips like the best love affairs never really ends,’ she has appealed all to endeavor and give our tourists this experience. She further urged to work together in making tourism a true instrument of opportunity and inclusion.
The chief minister was accompanied by a host of cabinet colleagues and parliamentary secretaries including Home Minister, Y Patton.
“Contribute views for a final solution”
Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, called upon the Naga people to contribute their views and opinions so that an honorable, final and acceptable solution to the protracted Naga political problem is brought about without delay.
Speaking as the chief guest at the United Nations World Tourism Day today at Peren Headquarters, the first Chief Minister of Nagaland to grace the occasion in 36 years, [the United Nations had declared September 27 every year as World Tourism Day in 1980] said that tourism in Nagaland cannot flourish as long as there is no peace in the land. “The framework for the solution had been signed on August 3 last and it is time for the people to suggest their views and aspirations for a permanent solution to the problem,” he said adding that it is now time for the Naga people to contribute their ideas for the shape of that framework.
He also asked the people to have a positive attitude while participating in the deliberations for the solution to the Naga problem.
“When all the 60 MLAs of Nagaland belonging to different political parties can come together and voice their desire for early solution to the government of India, why cannot the different sections of the Naga society come together,” he asked.
“The Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi told our Legislators’ delegation of 16 members at New Delhi that he was touched by our unity of thought and determination to find out an honorable and acceptable solution to the Naga problem and assured us that he would see to it that peace is ushered in expeditiously,” Zeliang said. “But he also made it clear in no uncertain manner that Nagas themselves must work out a formula which can be discussed with the government of India.
“Dialogue between the NSCNs and the government of India has been going on for more than 16 years. This could be the longest dialogue between the government of India with any group. We are a unique people with a unique history, unique customs and traditions. And to protect our unique ways of life we have to deliberate and discuss how best to go about. Therefore, all sections of the society should come together and put our heads together,” Zeliang said. Citing the example of Sikkim, Zeliang said that since it is very peaceful its tourism industry has been growing by leaps and bounds while the most picturesque in the country, Jammu & Kashmir, has been adversely affected since tourists think more than twice before they go there.
“Likewise, our efforts at promoting eco- and cultural-tourism may not find much takers if the Naga political problem continues and the State is projected by the national media as insurgency-ridden state,” he said.
