Dzukhu Valley in Nagaland

Nov. 4: The Madrid-based World Tourism Organisation has evinced interest in promoting tourism in the Northeast and identified Nagaland and Sikkim as its priorities.

The United Nations-affiliated organisation will assist Nagaland in preparing a sustainable tourism development programme with the accent on employment, especially for women and other disadvantaged groups.

The first of a series of meetings between representatives of the global agency and Nagaland government officials is to be held later this week.

Tourism secretary Thangi Mannen said rural and environment tourism had been identified as two of the six potential growth areas, but the state’s focus would be on community tourism.

The official said the Khonoma green village project — it is the birthplace of the pioneer of the Naga movement, A.Z. Phizo — would mark the beginning of a “tourism culture” in the state. The budget for the project is Rs 3 crore.

The World Tourism Organisation stresses distribution of the economic benefits of tourism to residents and creation of entrepreneurial tourism pilot projects.

The agency’s expertise is expected to help the Nagaland tourism department identify product gaps and plan sustainable tourist attractions in the state.

“The technical assistance will include advice on identifying sources of private investment to support and fund specific projects and development of a marketing strategy,” another official said. On whether there was flip side to tourism development, he said all states of the Northeast should be careful not to damage the fragile environment of the region in their eagerness to improve infrastructure for tourism.

The World Tourism Organisation has advised the Union tourism ministry to constitute a panel of consultants for the task of building a framework for sustainable tourism development in Nagaland and Sikkim.

Consultants are required in the fields of rural tourism development, environment, social anthropology and architecture. An architectural consultant would be expected to come up with options for accommodation and associated facilities, based on the indigenous architectural pattern.

It is no coincidence that during his recent visit to Nagaland, the Prime Minister committed Rs 25 crore for the development of the state’s tourism sector.