Chizokho Vero
Kisama | December 4
Parliamentary Secretary for tourism Yitachu today stated that Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival has emerged as the fastest growing festival in India. Talking to media persons here, Yitachu said that Hornbill festival has generated a lot of interest all over the country and abroad, outshining other festivals taking place in the country, recording an increase in number of both domestic and foreign tourists. Exact number of tourists for the festival this year, however, has not been ascertained yet. Yitachu asserted that Hornbill Festival has entered 13th edition and its popularity has gone up manifold.
The Hornbill Festival, he said, has attracted several tourists across the globe. In this, he called upon people to come forward and actively participate in tourism industry and gain maximum benefit out of it.
Yitachu said the tourist inflow has surpassed the maximum intake, many even traveling from Dimapur due to lack of accommodation in Kohima. Apart from exploring and experiencing the diverse Naga culture and heritage, some foreign tourists are also taking part in various competitions like Naga wrestling, Naga chilli eating contest, pork fat eating contest, greased Bamboo pole climbing etc.
Yitachu called upon people to grab the opportunity, participate in the tourism sector, come up with various activities and improve upon accommodation, artifacts, cuisine and anything else to satiate the visitors. Yitachu also strongly felt on the need to expand the parking area at the main venue of the Hornbill Festival as well as expansion of gallery and amphitheater which was found to be quite small.
Earlier, he inspected the arena of Kids Carnival along with officials from the Directorate of Tourism and showed his concern for further development of the area. The Hornbill festival will go on till December 7.
