Homestay gives more authentic cultural experience: Beio

Kohima, Sep. 27 (EMN): Sharing her six years experience as a host of Lalhou’s Homestay in Kigwema village, Mezhüsieno Beio, a young entrepreneur, said homestay offer travellers an alternative and affordable place to stay and presents an unrivalled opportunity for genuine cultural exchange and gives a more authentic cultural experience.

Speaking at the World Tourism Day in Kohima, Beio said running a homestay is a two-way street saying, ‘while the guest is soaking up our culture, we also have the unique chance to learn about theirs. It is a cultural bonding experience like no other.’ However, she also pointed out that safety is the primary concern and apprehension of a prospective guest as Nagaland is still viewed negatively by most people from outside the state, and are non-existent to many with little or no sufficient information available.

Nonetheless, Beio said as a host family it gets the opportunity to change the negative perception that they have of us, and becomes the first local contact point for visitors. Thus, ‘the host family becomes ambassadors to showcase how unique, beautiful, generous, hospitable and tamed Nagas are,’ she added.

‘Charting unchartered territory is both daunting and exciting,’ said the young entrepreneur who learned from her own experience that the sole purpose of running a homestay is not only for monetary benefits.

‘Inspite of all the outrageous questions asked, he frustrating and annoying tantrums you’ve to put up it with at times, the benefits far outweighs the disadvantages.’

On a positive note, she said it is at the disposal of the host to alter the mindset of anyone who comes in contact and presented with the unique opportunity to put one’s best foot forward.

Highlighting the vast prospect of homestays where it has become an integral part of leisure industry and growing at such an exponential rate, Beio maintained that effort must be made to tap into this huge reserve, develop it into an organised sector as it is also a great source of employment.

With limited platform at the moment other than the Hornbill Festival which is not feasible or profitable throughout the year and to cater to this problem, she suggested on the need for formal training modules, promotion of local festivals and places, mobilise unemployed educated youth, maximise rural involvement, conservation and promotion of important significant areas etc.

While asserting that it is the common goal of everyone to strive for sustainable growth and prosperity of the people and the land, Beio observed that we have much to offer to the rest of the world from our rich natural beauty to the diversity and uniqueness of our cultural heritage.

She also pointed out that homestay offers the potential of extending real benefit not only to the tourism sector but underdeveloped rural areas by facilitating growth of tourism, entrepreneurs and small business.

Sharing the benefits of being a good host, Beio maintained that ‘when visitors take back the good and meaningful experience they had while staying with you, they become ambassadors of Nagaland.’ ‘Let us all strive together for a sustainable tomorrow,’ she added.

‘Regulate mechanism to curb illegal immigrants’

Kohima, Sep. 27 (EMN): As the world celebrates ‘World Tourism Day’ focussing on ‘tourism as a driver of economic growth’ and ‘Tourism and the planet: committed to a greener future,’ a concerned young and dynamic entrepreneur queried ‘how ready are we ready for tourism? Is Nagaland ready to open its boundaries for just tourists to come in, when we don’t have a proper mechanism in place to control over illegal Bangladeshi migrants coming in?’

This was posed by Richard Belho, a young architect and director of Zynorique, at the 37th World Tourism Day held on theme ‘Sustainable tourism – a tool for development’ organised by the Tourism Department in its conference hall this morning.

Speaking as the guest speaker, Belho highlighted on the vast potentials of tourism in the State as well as the negative impact on the socio-cultural-economic fabric in the absence of proper mechanism to regulate influx of tourists in the State.

Belho stressed on the need to avoid mass tourism as he cautioned that inflow of back trekkers and hippies could disturb the cultural fabric. He rather suggested the department to strengthen itself with a tourist wing- a mechanism set in place to tackle issues relating to immigration, passport, security etc.

With the booming tourism business in other parts of the world, Belho noted with regret on the prevailing negative unhealthy competition despite high potential for tourism growth and development in the State.

In order to prioritise tourism as a catalyst to progress towards a more diversified economy, Belho emphasised on the need for capacity building for tour operators and update themselves with the latest knowledge and skills with experienced tour operators from outside as resource persons.

Stating that tourists have become smart and are aware of all the tourist traps, he suggested on the need for a strong and united tour operations as there’s a chance of losing business and bring back the niche and restore ‘our tourism’ to a higher level.

While suggesting the department to take a more proactive role like online registration of complains so that ‘we know our weaknesses and improve ourselves,’ Belho opined that a system be placed to blacklist the substandard hotels that are tarnishing the image of tourism.

Stressing on the importance of Hornbill Festival for cultural tourism, Belho asserted that unless the Nagas find the importance of the festival first, the festival would lost its substance to tourists. He, therefore, suggested systematic framed policy, innovative and creative thinking for conducive environment, aggressive marketing, local tourism, cultural tourism and a responsible tourism.

Tourism studies lecturer from St. Joseph College, Jakhama, Martha and a member from Nagaland Tourism Association (NTA) shared their experiences. The programme was chaired by Deputy Director (T), Ajanuo Belho.