DIMAPUR — The Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Sumi Hoho and the Nagaland Tourism Association (NTA), organised tourism awareness training at Woodland Hr. Sc. School, Zunheboto, on Tuesday.
The event aimed to raise awareness about the potential of tourism in the state and Zunheboto district, and to train local stakeholders in various aspects of the tourism industry, a press release stated.
The programme was formally inaugurated by Vincent Sukhalu, principal of Woodland HSS, who expressed to the department for choosing the school as the venue for the event.
The session began with a welcome address and introduction of the trainees by Nyurhetho, senior tourism officer, who spoke about the vast potential of tourism in Nagaland.
Nyurhetho highlighted various niches such as cultural tourism, ecotourism, mountain tourism, rural and village tourism, community-based tourism, wellness tourism and experiential tourism.
He also emphasised that tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country, contributing significantly to exposure to diverse cultures, job creation, soft skills development and economic growth.
Also read: No-tobacco awareness programme held in Zunheboto
Agumbe Nring, tourist officer, delivered a presentation on the role of travel intermediaries, explaining the essential functions of travel agents and tour operators in promoting tourism.
His talk focused on how travel intermediaries contribute to the smooth operation of the tourism industry and their importance in creating connections between travelers and local destinations.
The training also covered the basics of tour guiding, with Vimeto Vakha, president of the Nagaland Tourism Association (NTA), sharing his expertise.
Vakha elaborated on the key skills required for effective tour guiding, including communication, knowledge of local culture, and safety protocols.
In addition, Kheto Yhokha, tourist officer, gave an insightful session on homestay management and hospitality, discussing the benefits of homestays for both hosts and tourists, and their role in enhancing authentic travel experiences in Nagaland.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Vimeto Vakha, who outlined the registration process for the homestay and tourism operators (TO/TA) schemes.