“IIM Shillong organizes a Symposium on Community Based Tourism in North East India”
A 2-Day Symposium on Community Based Tourism in North East India was organized by the
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis, IIM Shillong, on the 10 th and
11 th of August, 2023.
The symposium was inaugurated by Shri. Temjen Imna Along, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism,
Government of Nagaland, in the presence of Shri. Gaigongdin Panmei, IRS, NEC, Shri Atul
Kulkarni, BoG member of IIM Shillong, and Prof. D.P. Goyal, Director, IIM Shillong. The
Centre Coordinator of the Dr. Kalam Centre, IIM Shillong, Dr. Sanjeev K Ningombam,
welcomed the dignitaries, esteemed guests, and all the participants to the event. Setting the tone
of the symposium, Dr. Ningombam emphasized refining the CBT scenario and the need for a
CBT model in NER.
Prof. D. P. Goyal in his inaugural address highlighted that government agencies and all tourism
stakeholders should work in convergence. He also mentions that for a seamless tourist
experience, the pain points should be removed and suitable strategies should be developed for
promoting Destination North East. He highlighted that IIM Shillong being an institution of
National Importance (INI) should have the responsibility of contributing to the region. There are
390 students who joined IIM Shillong who are among the best minds of the country, and the
newly designed Community Immersion Program for IIM Shillong students, where each student
is required to visit and stay in Rural Communities, understand geographical and behavioral
dynamics and can contribute by giving back to the communities in the form of sustainable ideas
and business models. Tourism is an integral part of communities and IIM Shillong Students can
contribute a lot in this field. Further, Prof. Goyal mentioned that going forward, IIM Shillong as
surrounded by beautiful hills and scenic beauty can be a prospective location for the tourists
visiting Meghalaya.
Shri. G. Panmei, addressing the gathering, focused on the call for a common tourism Policy. The
need of the hour is to develop a matrix for circuits across all 8 states of North East India. Shri
Panmei highlighted that on the basis of the World Bank Group study and various other inputs
and impressions available, 5 segments have been identified for special focus namely, Cultural
tourism, Adventure tourism, Nature Tourism, Agro-Tourism, Health Tourism. He mentioned that
a common registration process for tourists traveling to NE should be initiated so that the traveler
should feel comfortable in planning the travel. There is a need to sensitize the people at the
village level about Community Based Tourism infrastructure, standardization of certain food
menus, Improvement in presentation and packaging, and aggressive marketing of local cuisines
among other important parameters.
Shri. Atul Kulkarni, a member BOG in his address, focused on how Community-based tourism
(CBT) is fast becoming a great way for travelers to experience a unique type of travel while also
making a positive contribution to rural communities. The beauty of community-based tourism is
the fact that it allows local communities to have full ownership and management of the tourism
experience, which in turn ensures that the economic benefits of tourism stay within their
community. It’s a great way to gain insights into new cultures, and traditions, meet local people,
and learn from them which would not be possible in a conventional fleeting tour, and what’s
more, you get to forge lifelong relationships with these communities. CBT is an alternative and
is also an answer to addressing the disruption in the expanding tourism industry of NER. For this
alternative to be successful, the locals need to develop insight and also be sensitized as to how
CBT can lead to a resilient economy at the community level. He also mentioned the role of
education and local empowerment in leading to tourism value chain creation.
Hon’ble Minister Temjen Imna Along highlighted the importance of experiential tourism at the
community level, as tourism cannot function in a standalone manner. Experience through
tourism should be the focus. The North Eastern Region should give the experience to tourists
from other states and other countries. Things have changed drastically in the last 10 years, and
with time, better connectivity across the states has changed the tourism scenario. He also
mentioned that most of the destinations in the North Eastern Region are yet to be explored. In
order to experience seamless tourism, linkages should be made and multi-ethnic culture should
be promoted. The inaugural session was followed by three technical sessions on Day-1, and the
themes revolved around CBT tourism in NER, the role of government in developing tourism
ecosystems, idea exchanges, and best practices. The second day of the symposium will have
sessions on exploring business opportunities, developing CBT models, and dialogue on
community concerns and participation. Shri Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble of Tourism, Government of
Meghalaya will address the valedictory session.
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