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H. Khehovi Yeputhomi and others at 1st North East Tour Operators Meet in Kohima on February 24. (Morung Photo)
1st North East Tour Operators Meet held in Nagaland
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 24
Tour operators from eight north eastern states today converged here and discussed various matters relating to sustainable development of tourism in the region.
Gracing the introductory session of the 1st North East Tour Operators Meet here at East-Gate Hotel, Nagaland’s Tourism and Art & Culture Advisor H. Khehovi Yeputhomi said the meet aim to develop better co-ordination & understanding and promote north eastern states to outside world.
Initiated and hosted by Nagaland Tourism, the meet is supported by North Eastern Council.
“Tourism has made major contributions in the field of art, music, sports and promotes cultural awareness and preserve traditional values,” he said adding that world tourism is the largest single item of international trade today.
He said that tourism is vital to the local and state economy. It is a major industry in North East India and throughout the world.
“Tourism boost our economy, employs thousands of people, enriches our businesses and pays for important public services, such as education and law enforcement,” he said.
According to World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in United Kingdom, the Tourism industry grew by 1.3% in 2012. This rate of growth means that tourism industry directly contributed 35.6 billion pounds to the British economy.
The number of jobs that tourism supported was forecasted to increase by 250,000 between 2010 and 2020, from 2.645 million to 2.899 million. One in twelve jobs is currently supported by tourism, the advisor said.
In India, tourism generated 9.2 percent of India’s GDP in 2018 supporting 42.673 million jobs. Tourism is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 6.9 percent by 2028, and thereby contributing up to 9.9 percent of India's GDP, Yeputhomi said.
Stating that tour operators play a key role in the tourism sector, he said “They are also known as the image builders of a country. Today, tour operators have become highly competitive. They endeavor to achieve a high volume of turnover, and maximum international and domestic market share by effectively operating. Moreover, the success of many developed and developing nations as tourist destinations depend heavily on a tour operator’s ability to attract tourists, development and promotion of tourism plant, diversification of tourism product and their social responsibilities to develop a remote and backward area.”
Nagaland witnesses rising growth of foreign tourists
Nagaland’s tourism additional secretary Martha R. Ritse informed that Government of Nagaland, through its e-Governance initiative, is doing its best in facilitating the smooth and speedy approval of ILP to domestic tourists.
“It is our goal to streamline the process further so that rather than becoming a hindrance to the tourism industry, it will facilitate in the sustenance of local resources essential for hosting a tourist,” Ritse said.
She informed that since the withdrawal of PAP regime by the central government, for a certain period, Nagaland has witnessed a rising growth in the number of foreign tourist inflow, allowing them easy access to the state.
Ritse was optimistic that with the initiation of the first North East tour operators meet, “we will be able to set the path for future cooperation and which will in the long term contribute to making the north east region a major tourist destination.”
As a tour operator, one can play a big role in bringing about a revolutionary change in the tourism of the northeast, she added.
Nagaland’s tourism director Akhale Vizol said that the North East operators meet has been organized to create a stronger , healthier, relations in business environment for growth of tourism in North east states in the right manner, to its our rich cultural heritage and its wealth of natural tourism attractions we can frame out a unique network tourism destination.
“This meet aims to bring tour operators to discuss the roles and challenges and to bring a strong forum that will foster closer relationship and enable each one to strengthen business thereby increasing the overall market in NE states,” she said.
Northeast India Tour Operators Association (NEITO) advisor Arijit Purkayastha said that NEITO is an association of tour operators of North East India approved by Ministry of Tourism (MoT).
The objective is to place North East India on global tourism map, bringing all MoT approved tour operators of North East India under one umbrella to maintain uniformity of quality tourism service in the region and to work in close coordination with public and private stakeholders for sustainable development of tourism industry in the region.
Nagaland’s tourism additional director Ajanuo Belho proposed vote of thanks.
The programme was followed by discussion on various matters concerning promotion of tourism in the region.
Familiarization tour to Kohima district, visit to Sekrenyi festival at Kohima Local Ground, visit to Khonoma village, drive to Mhachaki will be part of day three programme on February 25.
