Tura, April 2: Researchers from the North Eastern Hill University's (Nehu) Tura campus have come up with suggestions to market and brand the Garo hills as a tourist destination.

Assistant professor of the department of management Sunildro Akoijam and assistant professor of the department of agri-business management Gino A. Sangma conducted a study over the last three years that revealed that the region has all the unique selling points needed to attract tourists. Their findings were presented in a paper titled Destination Marketing of Tourist Spots: A Study of Garo hills in Meghalaya at the fourth conference of the Nepalese Academy of Management and the 14th conference of the International Federation of East Asia Management Academy held at Kathmandu, Nepal, recently.

"Tourism is an engine for economic growth. Our study revealed that the region has ample potential to foster socio-economic development of the region. However, due to the lack of a holistic approach, these opportunities have not been tapped," Akoijam said.

The researchers said their findings will enable the government to examine the opportunities in the tourism sector and allow stakeholders to plan strategies.

"People within our country are also not aware of the tourism potential of Garo hills has in terms of attracting tourists. It (the study) calls for creating awareness and building necessary logistics and tourism products (destinations) to attract visitors. Simple stories of such places should be spread around," Sangma said.

"Wangala is a beautiful dance festival, which attracts tourists every year. We can use this festival to market and brand Garo hills and position Balpakram and Nokrek National Parks through package and organised tours," he said.

On inadequate transport facilities to tourism sites, Akoijam said: "Government can provide subsidy to interested youths and tour operators, who would be keen to operate regular, arranged or seasonal transportation services to different tourism destinations of Garo hills. On a pilot basis, at least two vehicles each can be placed in the five districts of Garo hills for the purpose."

On the local delicacies, Sangma said: "We boast of a great range of indigenous locals cuisines. It is difficult to actually find the local food in hostels, restaurants and other small food joints in the Garo hills. In at least district headquarters of Garo hills, a local food chain looks to be the need of the hour. Apart from local food, north Indian, south Indian, Bengali, Chinese and Continental food should be made available."

They also made specific suggestions on establishing an emporium and a village market to showcase and sell traditional products specially-designed souvenirs, bamboo products and art work. "The village market can have horticultural and agricultural products, including processed foods like juices made from local berries, dry chillies and smoked meat products," Akoijam added.