Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Yes it may help tourism grow in Nagaland, but unless there are safeguards in place put by the government of Nagaland, this new policy may just boomerang. There are adverse effects caused by unplanned and bad tourism policy and this should be tackled at the earliest.
• The lifting of PAP is a welcome move. At least people wanting to visit Nagaland can come freely without any hassles. I dont really know if this will help tourism grow, but it will at least allow many international travelers to come to Nagaland.
• Increasing Nagaland's accessibility will make her a more attractive destination.
• This should open up all doors for people who really want to come to Nagaland and experience the culture and tradition.
• The revocation of this Act will no doubt have a beneficial effect not only on the steady growth of our state tourism but all other allied sectors besides it also helps to create a conducive atmosphere for business investments that enhances the entrepreneurial activities in our state. Also, I am of late happy to learn about the recent announcements and approvals of the slew of tourism projects in and around our state as the incumbent govt also seems be to showing a keen interest in the aforesaid sector which is great news for the development of our lagging tourism infrastructures. Apart from being land of festivals, there are plenty of natural beauty spots and fascinating places for tourists from within and without to visit and explore. Thus the govt needs to do much more to improve its delivery system and Naga people best-known as warm and hospitable have to live up to it to make Nagaland one of the favorite tourist destinations of NE region.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• It does not matter whether PAP is lifted or not. Various countries like USA, Australia and European countries have still not retracted their travel advisories to their citizens against traveling to places like Nagaland. For Nagaland to really flourish in tourism, the political problem needs to be resolved with India.
• No, it will not help because Nagaland is not yet on the tourist map yet.
• What tourism are we talking about, Nagaland has no infrastructure worth its salt that can be at par with places that depend on tourism industry. Nagaland infrastructure is pathetic. All the money is being blown up in ministers and bureaucrats buying luxury foreign cars and building mansions. In some other place, many of the politicians and bureaucrats would have already been in prison for corruption.
• Not really. Before, when tourist did not come we at least had PAP to blame for it, but now that PAP has been lifted, tourist will still not come because just look at our roads - they are in miserable condition. Nagaland just does not have the infrastructures to support tourism. Our Naga culture, hospitality, songs, traditions and dances will only take it so far. At the end of the day, real infrastructure is needed.
• I dont see how the lifting of the PAP will increase flow of tourism. The fact remains that for Nagaland to attract foreign tourist, it should be able to provide world class services for tourist and Nagaland is far from achieving it.
• I dont think the Nagas will benefit. Only a selected group of 'usual suspects' will benefit. In the name of festivals and tourism, the same people under different names and activities keep reaping the benefits over and over again. So with the lifting of PAP, the government will claim more funds under tourism and the usual suspects will get the most out of it.
• Tourists will come with or without PAP. What will attract tourist into Nagaland is peace and security.
• A tourist will choose a place to visit not for PAP reasons but for what the place has to offer- security, pleasure, entertainment and something exotic perhaps. PAP? Not a criteria for tourism. Don't blame PAP, spruce up the toilets- i mean the place :)
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• What about the illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and other states. Dont they create more problems for people in Nagaland. Are the illegal immigrants not a threat to the Naga local people who are slowly losing their land and resources? The lifting of PAP does not make much difference because foreign visitors will always come in small quantities because the larger problems still persists. The more immediate problem has to do with the illegal immigrants and nothing seems to be done about them.
• I dont think PAP was the only reason why tourism in Nagaland was going no where. Tourism has to do with image and the image of Nagas is not good in internationally. Nagas are viewed as fundamentalist one one had and very loose and flexible on the other. Also until the Naga political problem is solved there will always be hesitation for tourist to come to Nagaland. Lifting PAP is only an eye wash, but it has given relief for many Nagas who have settled abroad because now their children and family members who are not carrying Indian passports need not apply for PAP.
• While appreciating the lifting of the PAP, I am concerned what the consequences may be. Nagaland has become a hot spot for human trafficking, HIV/AIDS and there has been increasing number of reports concerning growing prostitutions. There are also unconfirmed reports about a growing homosexual community and the increase of 'lounges' in Dimapur and Kohima. All these developments put together makes Nagaland extremely precarious. Now with the lifting of PAP, all kinds of tourist which includes hippies, packbackers and others will be travelling to Nagaland since the restrictions have been lifted. This may only add to further confusion. It will be wise on the part of the Nagaland state government to introduce measures that will prevent further decay of our society.
• A tourist may not come looking for luxury in Nagaland, but they would want atleast basic amenities like electricity, good roads, running water, clean toilets and quality eating joints. Sad to say Nagaland does not have even these basic amenities for tourism. There is no point building 5star hotels in Kohima, because tourists are not coming here for 5-star hotels, they come here for the land and people so the least Nagaland should offer are clean toilets.
• Yes it may help tourism grow in Nagaland, but unless there are safeguards in place put by the government of Nagaland, this new policy may just boomerang. There are adverse effects caused by unplanned and bad tourism policy and this should be tackled at the earliest.
• The lifting of PAP is a welcome move. At least people wanting to visit Nagaland can come freely without any hassles. I dont really know if this will help tourism grow, but it will at least allow many international travelers to come to Nagaland.
• Increasing Nagaland's accessibility will make her a more attractive destination.
• This should open up all doors for people who really want to come to Nagaland and experience the culture and tradition.
• The revocation of this Act will no doubt have a beneficial effect not only on the steady growth of our state tourism but all other allied sectors besides it also helps to create a conducive atmosphere for business investments that enhances the entrepreneurial activities in our state. Also, I am of late happy to learn about the recent announcements and approvals of the slew of tourism projects in and around our state as the incumbent govt also seems be to showing a keen interest in the aforesaid sector which is great news for the development of our lagging tourism infrastructures. Apart from being land of festivals, there are plenty of natural beauty spots and fascinating places for tourists from within and without to visit and explore. Thus the govt needs to do much more to improve its delivery system and Naga people best-known as warm and hospitable have to live up to it to make Nagaland one of the favorite tourist destinations of NE region.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• It does not matter whether PAP is lifted or not. Various countries like USA, Australia and European countries have still not retracted their travel advisories to their citizens against traveling to places like Nagaland. For Nagaland to really flourish in tourism, the political problem needs to be resolved with India.
• No, it will not help because Nagaland is not yet on the tourist map yet.
• What tourism are we talking about, Nagaland has no infrastructure worth its salt that can be at par with places that depend on tourism industry. Nagaland infrastructure is pathetic. All the money is being blown up in ministers and bureaucrats buying luxury foreign cars and building mansions. In some other place, many of the politicians and bureaucrats would have already been in prison for corruption.
• Not really. Before, when tourist did not come we at least had PAP to blame for it, but now that PAP has been lifted, tourist will still not come because just look at our roads - they are in miserable condition. Nagaland just does not have the infrastructures to support tourism. Our Naga culture, hospitality, songs, traditions and dances will only take it so far. At the end of the day, real infrastructure is needed.
• I dont see how the lifting of the PAP will increase flow of tourism. The fact remains that for Nagaland to attract foreign tourist, it should be able to provide world class services for tourist and Nagaland is far from achieving it.
• I dont think the Nagas will benefit. Only a selected group of 'usual suspects' will benefit. In the name of festivals and tourism, the same people under different names and activities keep reaping the benefits over and over again. So with the lifting of PAP, the government will claim more funds under tourism and the usual suspects will get the most out of it.
• Tourists will come with or without PAP. What will attract tourist into Nagaland is peace and security.
• A tourist will choose a place to visit not for PAP reasons but for what the place has to offer- security, pleasure, entertainment and something exotic perhaps. PAP? Not a criteria for tourism. Don't blame PAP, spruce up the toilets- i mean the place :)
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• What about the illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and other states. Dont they create more problems for people in Nagaland. Are the illegal immigrants not a threat to the Naga local people who are slowly losing their land and resources? The lifting of PAP does not make much difference because foreign visitors will always come in small quantities because the larger problems still persists. The more immediate problem has to do with the illegal immigrants and nothing seems to be done about them.
• I dont think PAP was the only reason why tourism in Nagaland was going no where. Tourism has to do with image and the image of Nagas is not good in internationally. Nagas are viewed as fundamentalist one one had and very loose and flexible on the other. Also until the Naga political problem is solved there will always be hesitation for tourist to come to Nagaland. Lifting PAP is only an eye wash, but it has given relief for many Nagas who have settled abroad because now their children and family members who are not carrying Indian passports need not apply for PAP.
• While appreciating the lifting of the PAP, I am concerned what the consequences may be. Nagaland has become a hot spot for human trafficking, HIV/AIDS and there has been increasing number of reports concerning growing prostitutions. There are also unconfirmed reports about a growing homosexual community and the increase of 'lounges' in Dimapur and Kohima. All these developments put together makes Nagaland extremely precarious. Now with the lifting of PAP, all kinds of tourist which includes hippies, packbackers and others will be travelling to Nagaland since the restrictions have been lifted. This may only add to further confusion. It will be wise on the part of the Nagaland state government to introduce measures that will prevent further decay of our society.
• A tourist may not come looking for luxury in Nagaland, but they would want atleast basic amenities like electricity, good roads, running water, clean toilets and quality eating joints. Sad to say Nagaland does not have even these basic amenities for tourism. There is no point building 5star hotels in Kohima, because tourists are not coming here for 5-star hotels, they come here for the land and people so the least Nagaland should offer are clean toilets.
