Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, APRIL 7
At a time when Nagaland has been promoting itself as a tourist destination, a western concept of introducing boutique hotel designs by world renowned tropical architect Made Wijaya, offers to boost tourism growth prospects in our picturesque lush green State.
On Thursday, at Regional Centre of Excellence for Music & Performing Arts (RCEMPA), Jotsoma, a host of stakeholders from the State’s tourism industry were privileged to hear a lecture on “The relevance of boutique /village hotel design for Nagaland”, delivered by Wijaya, who is considered a ‘Guru’ of tropical architecture.
To his credit, Wijaya has designed more than 1000 tropical gardens throughout the world. His love and admiration for Nagaland, particularly the landscapes, began when he visited the International Hornbill Festival last year.
This is Wijaya’s second visit to Nagaland, and he has come with a purpose, that is, to throw light on the scope and potentials Nagaland can offer to the tourism world.
In his lecture, Wijaya said, Nagaland holds a very high stake in cultural tourism, and therefore, urged the Nagas to step forward with a new concept if Nagas’ dream of making the State a holiday destination for tourists.
He went on to praise the Naga way of life, especially the hospitality which he immeasurably admired, as compared to the other parts of the world.
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“Bali has become famous because of cultural tourism,” he said and added that Nagaland has the same potential, if not more. Sharing his ideas in promoting tourism, Wijaya observed that tourism in the State will progress faster if the Nagas will rely more on ethnicity and tradition.
He observed that modern developments without traditional touch and culture will have less impact in the tourism sector. “The world has seen the Naga way of hospitality during the Hornbill festival, and that (hospitality) is the most needed element to promote tourism, be it in any part of the world,” he remarked while educating the gathering on the evolution of hospitality architecture in Bali.
The designer Wijaya observed that Kohima is becoming an example of bad tourism. To this, he made a particular mention of the buildings and architects, and the many unplanned developmental activities taking place.
He hinted that Nagaland needs not go for concrete modern designs all the time, but underscored traditional designing, which he said, will be unique for visitors to come and see. He added that even concrete buildings can be ethnic and have a traditional touch.
He was optimistic that Nagaland will be able to contribute immensely in the tourism industry. Appreciating the ‘Home Stays’ which have come up in Nagaland, he encouraged the stakeholders to continue the Home Stays, citing reasons that many international tourists prefer home stays than concrete buildings, which Nagaland at the moment cannot offer.
Wijaya has been ‘very instrumental’ in the progress of tourism in Bali. As a graphic designer who has worked in more than 25 countries, he has been called the “Galliano of gardens”. Bali, an island and province of Indonesia, is known as the most popular island holiday destination in the Indonesian archipelago. The significant rise in tourists started since 1980s. Bali, is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music. The Indonesian International Film Festival is held every year in Bali.
Made Wijaya was born as Michael White in Sydney, Australia. He arrived in Bali in 1973. He travels between his Bali base and Singapore, India, Spain, Morocco, Hawaii, Australia and Mexico to weave his magic in tropical gardens. He continues to be commissioned to design gardens around the world, including recently the former palace gardens of the Nizam of Hyderabad in India and the Naples Botanic Garden in Florida.
Earlier, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Apok Jamir, who chaired the programme, urged the stakeholders of State’s tourism industry “to identify what is best and give what is best to the world.”
“There is much more culturally and socially for the Nagas to offer in tourism world,” Jamir said maintaining that tourism is not confined to the 10-day Hornbill festival.
He urged the stakeholders to concentrate and work on those areas which need improvement and further to create awareness among the general public.
The welcome address was delivered by Thomas Rengma, additional director, tourism, while Vincent Belho, president, Nagaland Tourism Association, tendered the vote of thanks. The Tatti Kro also added flavor to the programme by presenting a folk song. It may be mentioned that Jesmina Zeliang, a Naga entrepreneur was instrumental in bringing Made Vijaya to present his lecture.
