Call for combine effort to push tourism industry forward in NE region

Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 28

Abu Metha, Advisor to chief minister of Nagaland today called upon the stakeholders of the North Eastern States to come forward and work as a team to emerge as a global destination. 

Talking on “Potential of fairs and festivals for tourism in North East region” at the ongoing International Trade Mart at Kisama, he observed that a combine effort in required to push the tourism industry forward in the region. He maintained that tourism will fetch a positive economic impact and employment generation, thereby enabling the region to enhance its contribution in the nation building process. He said that experiential tourism is today one of the biggest demand and aspirations of the tourists who travel all around the world. 

Sharing the role of fairs and festivals in promoting tourism, he informed that Hornbill Festival of Nagaland exemplifies the energy, the innovation and creativity of the people and promoting Nagas beyond India. 

Hornbill festival is not a traditional Naga festival, it is a tourism promotion event, he said. “It is a just 22 years old tourism promotion event and today it is one of biggest festivals in the country,” Metha said.

Stating that Nagaland is not offering luxury or five star hotels to tourists, he said “it is about experiential holiday/ It is about home stay. It is about making friends and bringing the world into Naga homes and villages”. 

This the basic agenda we try to promote tourism, he said. 

One North East marketing campaign
North East festival founder and chief executive Shyamkanu Mahanta maintained that Hornbill Festival is the biggest festival of India. He said that North East will emerge as the most ideal destination for the busy, hardworking professionals, especially for the mindful tourists. Touching on post COVID, he said, “Last two years, were really bad for all of us, perhaps it is the time for the region to express and get ready for good time”. 

Mahanta added that it is the ideal time to get prepared with logistics, proper marketing campaign, extensive road shows highlighting North East region, adding that series of planned fairs and festivals all over the country will be needed.

He stressed on the need to have one North East marketing campaign, adding “it is important to initiate one North East Tourism campaign, focusing on fairs and festivals calendar, specific theme driven promotions”. He said that extensive social media campaign is needed within India and abroad. 

“Fairs and festivals can change the tourism scenario of the entire north east region, provided we plan it well,” he said. 
He said that the 9th edition of North East Festival 2021 will take place in New Delhi from December 10 to 12, which will focus North East as destination for mindful tourism. 

It is the biggest common tourism initiative of North East. The main focus has been showcasing tourism potential of North East region, creating awareness by presenting the culture and diversity in terms of language, dance forms, food habits and contribution of the North East region in the nation building.

He said that racial attacks on the North East region people were a major issue 10 years ago. Over the years it has gone down. 

North east festival has helped in creating business and opportunities for entrepreneurs, performers and designers, he said.