Our Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 3 (EMN): A tour agency called 'Wander Nagaland' for adventure travellers, who wish to explore new destinations or are dissatisfied with current offerings of commercialised destinations, will be launched today, November 4 in Kohima.
According to the team, "Wander Nagaland is Nagaland's first travel social enterprise" which assures experiences that provide a "once in a lifetime travel opportunity to explore the remote places within Nagaland and the surrounding regions." It is an initiative of Kevisato Sanyü, who launched Naga Homestay earlier this year.
"Unlike (other) competitors, we make it easy for customers to access authentic cultural experiences and virgin natural landscapes. At the end of the day, our tours give travellers pioneer status while resolving the pain points of travelling to a largely uncharted destination. Our journeys connect them to people and land," the team stated.
Wander Nagaland aims at ‘bringing the world over, who want to see Nagaland and experience our culture.’ This is in line with its vision to create a means for Nagas to generate a livelihood by sharing their cultural and natural heritage, the team said. Towards this goal, the tour agency works with a council of elders to protect and retain cultural authenticity during a period of rapid globalisation.
Sanyü believes that tourism is a great way for Nagas to make a livelihood. He said, "If anyone has skills they want to share, if they host a cooking class, or teach a traditional dance, or show travellers around their town or village, we want them to contact us. Call us, email us or visit our office. We will get them registered so they can generate a livelihood from their talents."
The team thinks that the social enterprise will create more opportunities in the tourism sector for farmers, entrepreneurs, and young educated people alike.
The enterprise, which offers transportation, tours, and accommodation, serves as a one-stop shop for tourism in Nagaland where travellers can get the most out of their visit, for starters, to the upcoming Hornbill Festival which will start in December.
This ‘experience-based tourism’ will offer people from all walks of life in Nagaland regardless of their background the opportunity to exhibit or impart their skills to visitors in areas such as cooking ethnic meals, and weaving, storytelling, and music among others. Through this, the locals will be able to generate an income of their own, according to the people behind the enterprise
Sanyü said that people around the world, especially those from the West look for authentic experiences.
