The
recently-concluded 12th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) in
Kaziranga, Assam, was a clear statement of Northeast India’s tourism assurance.
With participation from approximately 23 international buyers, 46 domestic
buyers, and influencers from around the globe, the event brought home the
region’s promise as a tourist destination. The spotlight on Northeast India’s
rich cultural heritage and biodiversity was not accidental. Indeed, it has been
a part of a concerted effort by the Ministry of Tourism to position the region
as a must-visit destination.
However,
the region’s tourism growth cannot remain solely reliant on central government
initiatives. While the Ministry has been instrumental in promoting Northeast
India, the future of tourism here depends on a shift in responsibility—from
receiving support to actively driving local growth. While the government has
definitely laid the groundwork to a great extent, in many ways, it is now up to
the people of the region to take ownership. It is for them to ensure the region
evolves sustainably and with accountability if it has to be on the right track.
The ITM
event highlighted the region’s incredible offerings, sites like the Moidams of
Charaideo, the newest and 43rd UNESCO World Heritage site of
India was shown to visiting delegates and media. The very venue (Kaziranga) was
thoughtfully chosen to mark the 50th year of Kaziranga National
Park. And, as Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Minister of Tourism for India,
remarked, the region’s appeal is not enough to guarantee long-term success. The
next step is to move beyond external support and empower local leaders,
businesses, and communities to drive tourism development in a way that respects
the environment and enhances the local economy.
Indeed, it
is now up to the people of Northeast India to take the torch and push it
further. For example, the region has a wealth of natural resources and cultural
assets, but it lacks significant infrastructure development in key areas. Why,
for instance, are roads within the state still in such a deplorable state? The
journey from Kohima to Dimapur in Nagaland, as often pointed out by tourists
returning year after year from the state, is a painful reminder of the region’s
infrastructure shortcomings, even as the state just celebrated the 25th
anniversary of the Hornbill Festival. Even as the 42-km road between Dimapur
and Kohima is being upgraded to a four-lane and construction is underway, some
sections are still challenging.
These roads are anyway important lifelines for locals and tourists alike and
remain unforgiving, reducing the region’s appeal as a convenient destination
for travel and trade.
Or
consider the drive along major routes, like the road from Kaziranga to Guwahati
Airport, where it’s often difficult to find a clean pitstop that is spotless.
Despite the region’s focus on tourism, there are no adequate basic rest stops
or traveller-friendly services along many crucial routes. This infrastructure
gap is not just an inconvenience; it is a missed opportunity.
With
tourism booming, travellers should be able to explore the region without
battling with poor roads. More importantly, the region should not just wait for
the central government to step in; it must take charge of upgrading its roads
and infrastructure for which ample funds have made inroads to every state.
These are investments that states are making for their people, aimed at making
the tourism experience smoother, safer, and more welcoming.
It is high
time that local governments invest in their own backyard and collaborate with
entrepreneurs and communities to build the necessary infrastructure. It’s time
to move beyond complaints and take action to create a truly sustainable,
self-sufficient tourism model.
Needless
to say, the recent ITM event also showed that Northeast India is far more than
just a hidden gem; it is a prime tourism destination in the making. The region
is home to a number of stunning national parks, not just the famous Kaziranga
National Park. In fact, Manas National Park is quickly becoming a popular
destination for visitors. A quick search on Google will reveal that there are
28 national parks in the Northeast, each offering unique natural beauty and
wildlife experiences. But the challenge now is to turn this attention into a
well-oiled machine of local development and self-sustenance. And it is in that,
that it needs a very well-thought through policies that will carry the people,
and the fragile ecology along in that drafting of a decision. True that the government
can only do so much, and the people of Northeast India must take ownership of
their future. The momentum is there, but the next phase requires real
accountability and effort at the grassroots level.
At the
same time, it is important to recognize that tourism cannot just be about
attracting visitors; it must also be about developing a responsible and
sustainable model. It must do away with excessive tourism. The region’s
cultural and environmental resources need to be preserved, with tourism
development aligning closely with the local ecology. This requires that all
funds allocated for development be spent thoughtfully and conscientiously. It
is about time to ensure that growth does not undermine the very qualities that
make the region special. Beneath that veil of mystery lies a charm and many
other qualities that make the Northeast unique, magical, and highly
sought-after. It is up to the people to strike the right balance, understanding
what is important and what is necessary.
The ITM
event has provided a valuable platform for highlighting the region’s tourism
prospective. Local stakeholders must build upon the momentum generated by these
global engagements, leveraging their unique culture, biodiversity, and heritage
to create a more sustainable tourism ecosystem.
The
question now is whether Northeast India will continue to depend on central
initiatives or rise to the challenge of becoming a self-sustaining tourism
destination. The region must not wait for outside intervention but actively
work to develop its own infrastructure, create more local opportunities, and
ensure that tourism growth benefits everyone. This requires a shift in mindset,
a clear move from dependency to ownership and accountability.
Northeast
India’s tourism strength is real, but its future lies in the hands of those who
live and work in the region. It’s time for local leadership to take
responsibility and create an environment where tourism thrives not just as an
industry, but as a force for sustainable growth. The region has the resources,
the beauty, and the culture to become a tourism powerhouse — now it must take
the steps needed to turn that potential into a reality.
The region
faces a choice: rely on central initiatives or take charge in shaping a future
where Northeast India becomes a tourism powerhouse. A future where tourism is
sustainable, benefiting both communities and ecology, with no room for excess.
It’s time for action. The world is watching.
(The
author, Hoihnu Hauzel is an independent journalist, co-founder www.northeastodyssey and founder, www.thenestories.com. This piece was first published in
EThospitalityworld.com. https://hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/speaking-heads/a-call-for-local-ownership-in-sustainable-growth/116131618)
