KOHIMA: Insurgency-ravaged Nagaland is now looking at the tourism sector for economic growth and generation of employment.
Addressing the Independence parade at the Secretariat Plaza, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday said the state has immense tourism potential and can be the engine of economic development and can also create jobs for the youths.
“We need tourists to visit Nagaland throughout the year,” Rio said, adding that the tourism industry can generate revenue round the year if tourism is promoted well. So far, tourists have been thronging Nagaland only during the Hornbill Festival in December in Kohima.
The Chief Minister said despite several odds, tourists love visiting Nagaland because of the natural beauty and the uniqueness of the cultural diversity. “We all should join hands to ensure that tourism significantly contributes towards overall economic growth of the state,” he said.
Rio said his government is trying its best to convince the Ministry of Civil Aviation to upgrade the facilities at Dimapur Airport and improve Nagaland’s air connectivity with other northeastern states and the rest of India.