Foreign tourist dance with Naga dancers on the last day of the state annual week long Hornbill festal at Kisama, outskirt of Kohima, Nagaland on Tuesday, December 7, 2010. (File Photo: Caisii Mao)
The program on “Talk for Change for Making Tourism Sustainable, Equitable and Just” for the State of Nagaland was organized by Impulse NGO Shillong with its State partners Community Educational Centre Society (CECS) and Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre (BYWC) at Bookmarc Dimapur and media partner Nagaland post.
The welcome address was given by Mr. Subonenba Longkumer, Project Director CECS followed by self introduction of the participants which was followed by a brief introductory note on the Code of Conduct. A representative from Police Department reported that there are no proper mechanisms/systems to tackle with tourism related issues and Nagaland lacks behind to other issues in policies and implementation, tourist and shop keepers also faces threats from local thags. He also stressed on the importance on installing CCTVs in hotels and restaurants, and to create awareness among the hoteliers and concerned department and organizations.
Ms Pushpa gave power point presentation on the Initiative “Encouraging Responsible Tourism by Engaging Stakeholders”. In her presentation she highlighted on the Meghalaya’s Model of multi-sector approach involving government, law enforcement, judiciary and civil society organizations that creates a comprehensive frame work for combating trafficking of girls under the five ‘Ps’ Prevention, Protection, Policing, Press and Prosecution. She pointed on the importance of State Partners of Impulse in Northeast to enhance policy on tourism. The slides also included on UNODC, UN. GIFT, ECPAT their activities against human trafficking in Thailand. Involvement of target groups in policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation. For the sustainability of tourism stakeholders need to be empowered with code of conduct, training on responsible tourism, staff training program, importance on implementation of policy and code of conduct through state stakeholders and partners,
Additional deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Sedevikho Khro graced the program as the chief guest. He pointed out on the immediate need to formulate policies to check trafficking of children and women in Nagaland, not only from the tourism perspective. He told that tourism in Nagaland was in its infant stage where all the stake holders, NGOs and Government Departments should work together at the grass root level. Sedevikho also pointed out that trafficking of women and children, prostitution are prevalent in Nagaland even without tourism. According to the chief guest awareness and education at the grass root level should be implemented.
Ms Hasina Kharbhih, Team leader of Impulse NGO presented on the Code of Conduct for Safe and Honorable Tourism. The code of conduct provides guidelines for the tourism industry it gives safety and security for the tourist and local people, the code of conduct also covers all the owners of hotel, restaurant, travel agents, contractors, tour operator, lodges, paying guests and so on. The code of conduct is not legally binding but a set of guidelines for the tourism. Hasina also highlighted on the tourism in Northeast with reference to Incredible India, vulnerable areas in tourism industry and trafficking of Burmese girlf through Mizoram and other Northeastern states to metro cities of India.
According to Mrs Akhale Vizol, Asst Director Tourism Department Nagaland admitted that Nagaland is in its infant stage regarding tourism, she also pointed out that there is shortage of accommodation in Nagaland especially in Kohima. Records on internal and external tourists are maintained for monitoring and to track them in emergency situations. Akhale reported that more than 1000 (one thousand) tourists visited Nagaland in 2010 during Hornbill Festival. The tourist department of Nagaland also provides training and services to service providers- she reported that during such programmes only the owner attends the programmes, not the drivers or the hotel staffs. According to her inflow of tourist have increased in Nagaland after lifting the Protected Area Permit.
Presentation on Nagaland Tourism Policy and suggestions was initiated by Mr. Chenithung Humtsoe, Executive Director Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre. The presentation included structure and policy of tourism in Nagaland, principles to understand tourism, tourism amendments and key principles of responsible tourism.
Presentation on Media perspective on responsible tourism was read out by Thorhetsu Nyuwi on behalf of Geoffrey Yaden, editor Nagaland Post. According to him responsible tourism was a comprehensive approach to the travel and tourism industry. The Cape Town Declaration of 2002 was lined out in order to understand the meaning of responsible tourism that explains to minimize negative environmental, social and cultural impacts, generation of greater economic benefits for local people. He also pointed on the importance on the participation of local people, stake holders and other concerned organizations in decision making.
The welcome address was given by Mr. Subonenba Longkumer, Project Director CECS followed by self introduction of the participants which was followed by a brief introductory note on the Code of Conduct. A representative from Police Department reported that there are no proper mechanisms/systems to tackle with tourism related issues and Nagaland lacks behind to other issues in policies and implementation, tourist and shop keepers also faces threats from local thags. He also stressed on the importance on installing CCTVs in hotels and restaurants, and to create awareness among the hoteliers and concerned department and organizations.
Ms Pushpa gave power point presentation on the Initiative “Encouraging Responsible Tourism by Engaging Stakeholders”. In her presentation she highlighted on the Meghalaya’s Model of multi-sector approach involving government, law enforcement, judiciary and civil society organizations that creates a comprehensive frame work for combating trafficking of girls under the five ‘Ps’ Prevention, Protection, Policing, Press and Prosecution. She pointed on the importance of State Partners of Impulse in Northeast to enhance policy on tourism. The slides also included on UNODC, UN. GIFT, ECPAT their activities against human trafficking in Thailand. Involvement of target groups in policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation. For the sustainability of tourism stakeholders need to be empowered with code of conduct, training on responsible tourism, staff training program, importance on implementation of policy and code of conduct through state stakeholders and partners,
Additional deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Sedevikho Khro graced the program as the chief guest. He pointed out on the immediate need to formulate policies to check trafficking of children and women in Nagaland, not only from the tourism perspective. He told that tourism in Nagaland was in its infant stage where all the stake holders, NGOs and Government Departments should work together at the grass root level. Sedevikho also pointed out that trafficking of women and children, prostitution are prevalent in Nagaland even without tourism. According to the chief guest awareness and education at the grass root level should be implemented.
Ms Hasina Kharbhih, Team leader of Impulse NGO presented on the Code of Conduct for Safe and Honorable Tourism. The code of conduct provides guidelines for the tourism industry it gives safety and security for the tourist and local people, the code of conduct also covers all the owners of hotel, restaurant, travel agents, contractors, tour operator, lodges, paying guests and so on. The code of conduct is not legally binding but a set of guidelines for the tourism. Hasina also highlighted on the tourism in Northeast with reference to Incredible India, vulnerable areas in tourism industry and trafficking of Burmese girlf through Mizoram and other Northeastern states to metro cities of India.
According to Mrs Akhale Vizol, Asst Director Tourism Department Nagaland admitted that Nagaland is in its infant stage regarding tourism, she also pointed out that there is shortage of accommodation in Nagaland especially in Kohima. Records on internal and external tourists are maintained for monitoring and to track them in emergency situations. Akhale reported that more than 1000 (one thousand) tourists visited Nagaland in 2010 during Hornbill Festival. The tourist department of Nagaland also provides training and services to service providers- she reported that during such programmes only the owner attends the programmes, not the drivers or the hotel staffs. According to her inflow of tourist have increased in Nagaland after lifting the Protected Area Permit.
Presentation on Nagaland Tourism Policy and suggestions was initiated by Mr. Chenithung Humtsoe, Executive Director Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre. The presentation included structure and policy of tourism in Nagaland, principles to understand tourism, tourism amendments and key principles of responsible tourism.
Presentation on Media perspective on responsible tourism was read out by Thorhetsu Nyuwi on behalf of Geoffrey Yaden, editor Nagaland Post. According to him responsible tourism was a comprehensive approach to the travel and tourism industry. The Cape Town Declaration of 2002 was lined out in order to understand the meaning of responsible tourism that explains to minimize negative environmental, social and cultural impacts, generation of greater economic benefits for local people. He also pointed on the importance on the participation of local people, stake holders and other concerned organizations in decision making.
(The above write-up is courtesy Impulse NGO Shillong and is part of the Regional Consultation on Responsible Tourism in the North Eastern States of India & State Consultations on Responsible Tourism held in Nagaland)
Resolutions
• Proposal for formation of Nagaland Tourism Council (NTC) by the stakeholders to be put up to the government, Representative from Law and Enforcement, Arts and Culture department, social Welfare department, Labour department, Bus Association, Taxi Association, Auto rickshaw Association, NGOs and Media.
• Training and Capacity building on safe tourism to be initiated by the department of tourism Nagaland in partnership of NGO.
• Activation and creation of information centres at all the tourist entry and exit points.
• Helpline for tourists to be initiated.
• Responsible marketing of Nagaland tourism to be undertaken by the Tourism department in consultation with NTC, record and document the cultural heritage and historical artifacts of Nagaland.
• Tourism policy of Nagaland should be made available to the public on website of the tourism department for easy access.
• Transaction and communication of all financial undertakings for PPP and Government projects should be made transparent, state specific promotion of the cultural heritage should be taken forward.
• No sexual exploitation of women and children in hotels and checking into hotel rooms accompanied by minors and with the intention of sexual exploitation of minors will not be accepted or tolerated by the Hotel Association of Nagaland.
• Safety measures for hospitality industry staff to be ensured and legislation of strict laws governing commerce and transport of indigenous artifacts.
• Official adoption by the government of code of conduct on safe and honorable tourism.
Grievances faced by the stake holders
• Lifting of Protected Area Permit (PAP) brings both pros and cons to tourism industry.
• Nagaland Government does not cooperate well with the stake holders
• Over burdened with tax.
• No tour operator.
• Fare diversity/ No standard rate on taxi fare.
• Lots of bureaucracy and red tapism in Nagaland to attain permits.
• & nbsp; Outsiders have exploited the villagers.
Suggestions
• Child Labour and trafficking policy need to focus on the actual target group and should formulate policies through their participation.
• Tourist lodge should be allotted only to the foreigners and outsiders (other states).
• Proper security should be provided to the tourists.
• States should have exchange training programs and exposure trips sponsored by the Nagaland Government.
• Standardized taxi fare and pricing especially for foreigners.
• Need to have an umbrella organization at the state and Northeast level.
• Different union Associations related to tourism should hold meeting annually to convey message on safe tourism.
• The entire tourist should be directed to the tourist department for guidance.
• Proposal for formation of Nagaland Tourism Council (NTC) by the stakeholders to be put up to the government, Representative from Law and Enforcement, Arts and Culture department, social Welfare department, Labour department, Bus Association, Taxi Association, Auto rickshaw Association, NGOs and Media.
• Training and Capacity building on safe tourism to be initiated by the department of tourism Nagaland in partnership of NGO.
• Activation and creation of information centres at all the tourist entry and exit points.
• Helpline for tourists to be initiated.
• Responsible marketing of Nagaland tourism to be undertaken by the Tourism department in consultation with NTC, record and document the cultural heritage and historical artifacts of Nagaland.
• Tourism policy of Nagaland should be made available to the public on website of the tourism department for easy access.
• Transaction and communication of all financial undertakings for PPP and Government projects should be made transparent, state specific promotion of the cultural heritage should be taken forward.
• No sexual exploitation of women and children in hotels and checking into hotel rooms accompanied by minors and with the intention of sexual exploitation of minors will not be accepted or tolerated by the Hotel Association of Nagaland.
• Safety measures for hospitality industry staff to be ensured and legislation of strict laws governing commerce and transport of indigenous artifacts.
• Official adoption by the government of code of conduct on safe and honorable tourism.
Grievances faced by the stake holders
• Lifting of Protected Area Permit (PAP) brings both pros and cons to tourism industry.
• Nagaland Government does not cooperate well with the stake holders
• Over burdened with tax.
• No tour operator.
• Fare diversity/ No standard rate on taxi fare.
• Lots of bureaucracy and red tapism in Nagaland to attain permits.
• & nbsp; Outsiders have exploited the villagers.
Suggestions
• Child Labour and trafficking policy need to focus on the actual target group and should formulate policies through their participation.
• Tourist lodge should be allotted only to the foreigners and outsiders (other states).
• Proper security should be provided to the tourists.
• States should have exchange training programs and exposure trips sponsored by the Nagaland Government.
• Standardized taxi fare and pricing especially for foreigners.
• Need to have an umbrella organization at the state and Northeast level.
• Different union Associations related to tourism should hold meeting annually to convey message on safe tourism.
• The entire tourist should be directed to the tourist department for guidance.
