Some of those who voted yes had this to say:
• If there is a gate called ‘Gateway’ to Nagaland tourism, I would point out to Hornbill festival. If there is a festival in which the Naga diverse cultural practices and traditions can be showcased I would point out to Hornbill festival. If there is any opportunity in which the diverse flora and fauna of Nagaland with its pleasant climate by others I would point out to Hornbill festival. Lastly, if there is anything call ‘opportunity for investment in the tourism sector’ I would point out to Hornbill festival. Yes, Hornbill Festival is the best way to promote tourism in Nagaland.
• Yes it is. 7 days and all the different tribal festivals are show cased. It is also the best season for merry making and get together. We should misuse it lest we banned it through some ngo.
• Festival represents the sign of oneness and unity in diversity of the Nagas. So, let this festival move forward...
• Something is better than nothing. With a goodwill, many improvements can be done like checking unprecedented use of alcohol etc. There should be constructive criticism not pessimism.
• Yes, but in a more better and in advancement too
• Becos people far and wide comes to know about our state and the beautiful culture of ours
• The number of tourist is increasing every year during Hornbill, which is good. So the brand name of Hornbill seems to be working well. But does it have the substance? For tourist, they would have to have some good fun and adventure, clean and healthy environment and to learn more about the place and culture. These are some of the things that the kind of tourist coming to a place like Nagaland will want. So when we check the list, we find that Hornbill is lacking in many of these things. It lacks good and disciplined organizing, there is too much government involvement, the place does not have good hygiene and there is too much of drinking and sleazy activities happening. So it discourages family tourist, and will only encourage backpackers and young tourist, and if tourism is to bring revenue to the State, this is the wrong category of tourist the Hornbill festival is attracting. So, for the Hornbill festival to promote tourism which will bring revenue, it will have to cater to the taste of tourist which is more family oriented.
Some of those who voted no had this to say:
• The Hornbill festival is designed to benefit the government where they invite big companies and show them off to the colours of Nagaland. It is a way of impressing the guest and getting them to sign deals with the top people in the government. Sometimes it is almost like a private party thrown by the government, except its open to the public, while some events are strictly open only to special guest. The Hornbill festival is a party, and does not promote tourism at all.
• Pagan festival. It is promoting immorality, all other social evils which GOD DISLIKE.
• I don’t think that the Hornbill festival is promoting Naga tourism at all, because the Hornbill is only a cultural event which does not have any originality. The event may attract a lot of people, but I tell you most of the people are from the local population, you will hardly find any tourist other than the high profile foreign visitors and a handful of other people. The Hornbill event has become a way for the government to show off their power as well as their national and international connections. But it does nothing for tourism. Even the Arirang team that came to Hornbill, why was it called India-Korea, when it should be Naga-Korea. These are small things, but small things matter and so I feel the Hornbill festival is terribly missing the chance to promote Naga tourism.
• It's a cheap shot since it falls on Dec. 1, the day our 'leaders' betrayed us into the union... it should be later in December (after 15th--we will get more tourists since Christmas holiday starts not until then in most of the western countries...)
• Looking after our own poor brother, cleaning our state, educate our children to attain high moral principle, endeavor to bring peace in totality, are all more important than festivals. This is only artificial and eye-wash.
Some of those who voted Others had this to say:
• The Hornbill festival is creating an opportunity but it not yet promoting tourism. For that to happen, it has to sharpen its act, get better management, sent a standard for participants and activities. There is also just too many things happening at Hornbill that everything gets lost and so at the end of the festival, one cannot remember anything. It will be good to cut down the number of activities, instead of packing it up like a can of fish.
• Rather than promoting culture, the Hornbill is notoriously known for promoting other thinks like the local brew and late night parties. If the Hornbill festival can be organized in a more disciplined and organized way, it will do wonders. But right now, though the idea is good, the packaging of Hornbill is still way of the mark and the selection of activities need much more thinking. I wonder how tourism can be promoted with rock concerts, fashion shows, etc as the main line up. The Hornbill festival just cannot be an event where people can have fun. There is too much at stake, and how long can the Ministry of Tourism give money for the people just to have fun. Something more concrete needs to take place at Hornbill if it is being used as a platform to promote tourism. The first thing the organizers have to decide is whether Hornbill festival is a festival to have fun and frolic, or whether it is to promote tourism. If it is for frolicking than the present arrangement is okay, if it is for tourism, than it has to make a lot of changes. If not, the kind of tourist that will start coming to Hornbill will not be good in the long run. If this kind of festival continues, Nagaland is not far behind Thailand.
• It’s great that at least we have an event on an annual basis but much can be done. It was disheartening to hear comments from non locals residing in Nagaland that they would never send their children to Hornbill especially during late evenings. Such comments do leave a distasteful feeling. Along with promoting tourism as the main objective it must also be a wholesome promotion of the culture, traditions and values of a progressive society.
• The Hornbill fest is becoming too rowdy and in the name of festival too much booze is being sold openly which is leading to drunken accidents, date rape, drunken brawls and obnoxious behavior. If the government does not take care of these problems, soon the Hornbill fest will lose its charm and many potential tourists will stop coming.
• Hornbill is not promoting Naga tourism but is helping bring local tourist and a few invited foreign tourists to Nagaland. Most of the foreign tourists are anthropologist or young people. In the years that Hornbill has been organized, it has been formatted more like a event of many eye catching activities, and every year the number of activities are increasing and the type of activities are also getting more diverse. So it has not actually promoted tourism in Nagaland but it has become an eye catcher, a big event and if this can be channelised well, it can help attract tourist to Nagaland.
