Kohima, May 6 (UNI) The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has said that the decision of the Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDA) Government to hold Mini-Hornbill festivals across the State coinciding with the respective tribal festival will boost tourism throughout the State, which in turn will have a multiplying effect on all aspects and further enhance local economy and employment generation. In a statement issued by NDPP said “Growth in tourism will boost economic growth, generate local employment, besides motivating the youth to promote culture, handloom and handicrafts, sports, music, arts, creativity and innovation which Naga youths are blessed with in abundance.”
Besides inculcating a strong sense of pride in our rich cultural heritage, much revenue can be earned thereby giving rise to a sustainable local economy, the party said adding that emphasis on tourism will give opportunities to youths in dozens of sectors and made youths positive contributors to economic growth and enable them to participate in a proactive manner in the common endeavor of shaping a new and welcoming image of Nagaland to the global community. The NDPP also lashed out at the opposition for criticizing the Government’s decision “without actually understanding the positive benefits of this policy initiative.” Accusing the previous NPF Government of failing the tourism sector in the past four years, the NDPP alleged that the tourism sector was negatively impacted due to poor governance, the leadership’s inability to understand the tourism potentials of the State and utter lack of any innovative ideas. “Shockingly, instead of promoting Nagaland as a tourist destination to the outside world, serious efforts were made by the previous government to reduce tourism related events and programmes,” it said. Stating that a recent survey ranked Nagaland 27th in the country in tourism, the NDPP said together we need to change this ranking for the better. It cited an independent assessment which indicated that with an investment of around Rs 5 crores by the State Government, conservative figures estimated approximately more than Rs 50 crores revenue to the local economy during the Hornbill Festivals.
“The festival is perhaps the only major activity that benefits local entrepreneurs from taxi drivers and operators to travel companies, hotels and restaurants, street businesses, handloom and handicrafts, food industry, fashion designers and houses, event management companies and groups. The local entrepreneurs avail the opportunity to earn well from events like the Hornbill Festival and the longer and more expansive the festival, the better for our entrepreneurs not only in Kohima and Dimapur but across the length and breadth of the State,” it reasoned. Stating that the PDA Government aims to empower the tribal Hohos and popularize tribal celebrations into national and international events so that Nagaland and the Nagas are known for “positive and wonderful aspects”, the NDPP hoped that this effort will evolve into a cohesive partnership between the Government, the tribal Hohos and the people. It requested all sections of society to join hands with the Government towards achieving sustainable economic development, it said.