Yeputhomi pitches Nagaland’s tourism potential at ministers’ conclave

Dimapur, Sep. 17 (EMN): Advisor to Tourism, Art and Culture H Khehovi Yeputhomi represented Nagaland at the tourism ministers’ conclave 2019 held at Kovalam, Kerala, on September 16.

According to a press release received here on Tuesday, Yeputhomi gave a presentation on the best practices in sustainable tourism with regard to Nagaland.

He also highlighted ‘the booming music and art scene in Nagaland’, the state government’s attempt to make Nagaland an organic and plastic-free state. The advisor invited all to “get aboard the upcoming market for tourism and hospitality industry in Nagaland.”

The conclave was inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan; while Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Prahlad Singh Patel was the chief guest.

Various issues like high tax rate for hotel rooms, high airfares during peak season and festival periods, and high and varied inter-state tourist vehicle taxes that are detrimental to the growth of the industry were deliberated upon during the conclave, it informed. The ministers collectively urged for reduction of goods and services tax for hotel rooms and for simplification and rationalisation of various taxes and levies to attract tourists.

They also proposed the formation of regional tourism councils and developing region-based tourism circuits. Moving the resolution, Odisha Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi said that setting up regional tourism councils will facilitate periodic interaction among different states and enhance collaboration.