Chizokho Vero
September 26
Kohima (MExN): Nagaland is blessed with diverse beautiful landscapes, colourful traditions and cultural heritage. However, tourism infrastructure is still lagging behind in the state.
The tourism department maintained that it has not been able to reach its desired goal owing to the presence of many constraints such as lack of adequate infrastructure and travel restrictions in the State.
This year’s theme, “Tourism and Transport” for the World Tourism Day on September 27 assumes importance in the context of Nagaland. However, it is not immediately known whether the government will pay special attention to make transportation facilities friendlier to tourists visiting Nagaland. The Nagaland Tourism Association will observe World Tourism Day at Zunheboto where Sumi Hoho president SH Rotokha will be the chief guest.
“The roads are slow and inadequate, wayside amenities almost non-existent or where they exists, they lack in quality, cleanliness and hygiene and most places do not have decent affordable lodgings of reasonable standard, “ according to the Nagaland State Tourism Policy.
The Policy also stated that in the absence of other means of transportation in Nagaland (like rail, waterway etc) besides road communication, a good network of road connectivity is the basic requirement coupled with adequate means of road communication, such as coaches, taxis and so on to facilitate movement of tourists to different destinations.
For this, the tourism department will acquire some tourist coaches, which are adequately equipped to meet the needs of tourists.
The Policy also stated that the government, through NIDC, NEDFI etc, will also introduce suitable schemes to encourage private tour operators/transporters to operate tourist taxis, coaches, etc. within the State for hiring of such vehicles by tourists.
Stating that the visitors first impression of a place is very much based on the facilities available in its airport, rail and bus stations, the Policy said it will be the State’s policy to provide transport services, information counters, telephone facilities which will contribute in generating a tourist- friendly atmosphere.
A tourist information centre has been opened at NST Bust station, Kohima by the Nagaland Tourism Association.
With the partial relaxation of Restricted Area Permit (RAP/ PAP) for foreign nationals and issue of Inner Line Permit being made more convenient for domestic tourists by issuing them these permits in Nagaland Houses outside the state besides the district headquarters, it has become much easier to visit Nagaland, the department said.
The Government maintained that the importance of tourism in achieving sustainable economic growth and generating self-employment has been gaining momentum in the state for the last few years.
The numbers of tourists have been steadily increasing over the years, according to official figures.
