Naga women collects snail from paddy field at Phek village. (Morung File Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 19
Nagaland State tourism department promotes the concept of community-based rural tourism through which local communities can derive benefits and facilitate participation and empowerment of the local people in matters of decision-making and management.
This was stated in the Annual Administrative Report 2025-26 of the Department of Tourism, tabled at the recent 8th session of 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The report stated that raining and workshops are being organised to impart knowledge and awareness to enhance local participation and use of local people to obtain significant benefits from the Tourism industry.
Some of potential inventories available within the Community-based Rural Tourism for further development includes community tour operations, cultural tourist activities, curio shops- displaying local handlooms and handicrafts, woodworks, traditional cuisines, creativity in showcasing cultural music, dances etc.
Also, for ensuring the sustainable development of local communities, promotion of self-help groups and NGOs are also being encouraged.
Tourist accommodation
Despite the euphoria in the potential of tourism in sprouting growth, there remains a plethora of avenues within this sector which needs to be explored and exploited for the maximum benefit of all the stakeholders, the report stated.
Avenues such Homestays and Rural Tourism largely remains underdeveloped and underexploited.
With each year as tourist, both domestic and international, flows into the region and in respective states, there is a greater strain on the existing infrastructure especially on accommodation, leading to inconveniences which is not a desirable outcome and could in the long run harm the industry, the report observed.
Keeping this in mind, it has become necessary and imperative for the sector to explore the potentials of Homestays and Rural Accommodations, which are interlinked, to foster tourism in the region and contribute to overall development of the region and its people, the report stated.
In order to meet the growing demands of tourists visiting the state and to tackle the lack of sufficient, clean and proper tourist's accommodation, hotels and lodging services in the state, the Tourism Department of the State is promoting and encouraging the development of homestays and paying guests accommodations.
Furthermore, specific infrastructure like tourist accommodation at or near the vicinity of the popular tourist attraction spots and destination needs thorough consideration.
Efforts for development of innovative tourism destinations combined with appropriate marketing and publicity strategy to attract private investments in the hospitality and tourism business is also being emphasized upon, the report added.
