The Nationalist Democratic People’s Party (NDPP) on Saturday said the decision to organise mini Hornbill festivals in Nagaland coinciding with the respective tribal festival will give a boost to tourism throughout the state.
This policy decision in turn will have a multiplying effect on all aspects and further enhance the local economy and employment generation, the NDPP said in a release on Saturday.
According to the major partner of the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance government, mini Hornbill festivals will serve as an opportunity for the benefits and economic impacts to percolate to all the districts, making Nagaland tourism real and inclusive.
“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 NDPP said.
It said 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 and event management companies and groups among others.
Referring to a recent survey that ranked Nagaland 27th in the country in tourism, the NDPP said, “Together we need to change this ranking for the better.”
Appreciating the government for giving emphasis on tourism sector in the state, the party said it is unfortunate that the opposition is criticizing the decision without actually understanding the positive benefits of this policy initiative.