Tourism has emerged as a driver for socio-economic progress leading to income and employment generation, entrepreneurial development, increased export earnings and development of infrastructure, among others. As per available data, tourism accounts for 30 percent of the world’s trade of services, and 6 percent of overall global exports of goods and services. Employment generation of the tourism sector in the world economy is close to ten percent. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the tourism sector hard but as the world recovers from the pandemic, the industry is expected to reach the figures reported prior to the pandemic. It goes without saying that tourism creates opportunities for employment including unskilled and semi-skilled domestic labour force.
In India, tourism is helping about 3.67 crore people to earn their livelihood – accounting for 8.7 percent of total employment. Tourism has a positive impact on the local economy in terms of income generation and employment creation. It is linked with a chain of economic activities starting from major infrastructure development to local transport networks where local people facilitate last mile connectivity. Otherwise seemingly insignificant economic activities like hospitality, roadside shops, local indigenous production including food, souvenir items and other artisan products also escalate with the development of tourism. Both skilled and unskilled labour finds opportunity to be associated with the tourism sector leading to employment generation in the local economy. Besides, another important benefit of tourism is that it encourages the locals to preserve their indigenous culture, food practices, traditions and skills. It also induces the natives to inculcate and develop sustainable practices, sanitation and cleanliness, and preservation and conservation of the natural environment.
Nagaland with rich and diverse cultural heritage, abundant natural resources and biodiversity is naturally tourist friendly. The state government has over the years been exerting noticeable efforts to promote tourism. However, it will require more than government effort to promote tourism in Nagaland. It will require community participation. The government of Nagaland must limit itself to the role of a facilitator and invite the community and private entities to develop the industry. The government should not be doing the business. Instead, it would serve the industry better for the government to engage in capacity building. There are many types of tourism and, therefore, the government must focus on long term planning. For instance, should Nagaland promote mass tourism or ecotourism? Tourism, like any other industry, must be sustainably managed or the negative impacts of tourism can far outweigh the benefits of tourism in the long run.
In Mokokchung, tourism still remains a nascent industry. There is not a single tour operator in town, which proves how far behind we are as compared to places like Kohima or Dimapur. In fact, we don’t even have a proper government Tourism office in Mokokchung which calls for some immediate attention. It is also felt that there has to be some sort of a mechanism at the district level, perhaps a lobby group, to suggest local interests to the government in the tourism sector. People will travel. Tourists will come. It is all about how well prepared we are to reap the benefits of tourism.