‘Homestays, rural tourism largely remains underdeveloped’
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 2
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.
This was stated in the Annual Administrative Report 2022-23 of Nagaland’s tourism department, tabled in the recently concluded first session of 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in Kohima.
The report stated that 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 department stated in the report.
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, it felt.
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 department stated.
Community-based Rural Tourism
The report stated that the 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.
For the purpose, training and workshops are being organized 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 community's promotion of self-help groups and NGO'S are also being encouraged, the report added.
