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“Mizoram
like any other north-eastern state offers excellent potential
for the development of eco-, home and adventure tourism, but
it lacks well-trained professionals for developing structure
and providing interactive services to tourists,” stated
Amolak Rattan Kohli, governor of Mizoram, during the concluding
session of the first international convention of Forum of
Educators and Scholars of Tourism (FEAST) recently held at
Chandigarh.
Kohli further added that the entire north-east especially
Mizoram, is a land of majestic mountains crowned with sapphire
blue peaks and serene beauty. Though its proximity to the
north is far-off, it undoubtedly offers abundant wildlife
and lush flora and fauna to potential tourists.
The governor further reinstated that the state government
is seriously looking for private partnership for the development
of tourism in the state and is also offering them incentives
to invest in tourism-related activities. However, what the
state required was proper identification and development of
sites, landscaping and proper architecture with conservation.
“Investors will be provided all assistance in developing
tourism with least bureaucratic interference,” he assured.
While speaking about the concept of home tourism and other
future developments in the state, Kohli stated that some of
the organisations in Mizoram are already engaged in communication
and interaction activities. About 20 houses in every part
of the state would provide two bedrooms in their homes, creating
an ambience and hospitality of their own. Special packages
will be designed for delegates with a capacity to accommodate
200 people for 7-8 days including transportation. In this
way, the social system of Mizoram will be highlighted. By
March-April 2003, we plan to introduce six flights a week
(50-seater each) from Mizoram to Kolkata as well as to Guwahati.
Apart from this, every village will be connected with the
WLL services, providing communication facilities by 2003.
These facilities will not only increase tourist inflow but
will also attract potential foreign tourists.
Earlier, the governor had launched the official website of
FEAST – www.Feastindia.org – with a special portal
on Asian tourism and a hotlink with the north-east, especially
Mizoram. The state would also host the next convention of
FEAST, next year.
Subsequently, Gulshan Sharma, director, Institute of Tourism
and Future Management Trends (ITFT) also instituted a scholarship
worth US$ 10,000 at the discretion of the Mizoram governor
for students completing a one-year MBA programme at Woodbury
University, USA. This proposal is applicable only for those
students who have completed their 16 years of education in
the state. Other recommendations included setting up of an
executive committee to carry forward the programmes of FEAST
and the launch of an electronic print journal. It was also
decided that the ITFT along with CITCO and other northern
states would make efforts to promote tourism in north-east
states and vice-versa. Among others, dignitaries present at
the deliberation were N Balachandran, secretary tourism, Mizoram,
professor Arvind Sharma, VC, Mizoram University, K K Saraf,
director, National Council of Hotel Management and Catering
Technology, Maharaj I S Wahi, president, IATO and its former
president O P Ahuja.
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