Promoting Tourism in Mizoram

Reiek Mountain

By: Pratap Sharma

The state government is yet to give tourism the status of an industry, this sector is yet to develop to its fullest potential. Except for a few private initiatives in eco-tourism, the unique selling points of the tourism in Mizoram are still the places Aizawl and Reiek. The other tourist spots in the other parts of the state are still out of bounds even for domestic tourists.

Tourism industry could be a major employment generation industry in the state, but this potential has not been exploited to the full. There are only a few takers to developing tourism as an industry in Mizoram.

Vantawng Falls

Why is there a need to promote tourism in Mizoram?

Tourism is a major industry globally and a major sector in many economies. Tourism has grown substantially over recent decades as an economic and social phenomenon.

Direct effect of tourism on the local economy are -

●       Local recruiting, training and promotion of staff.

●       Encouragement and assistance for guests to enjoy activities in the local economy.

●       Joint ventures, profit shares, or regular channels for donations to local people.

●       Linkages with SMEs producing tourism products or services.

Indirect effect of tourism on the local economy are -

●       Linkages with local and/or small businesses supplying food and other goods.

●       Mentoring local businesses to meet procurement standards.

Reiek Muontain

Dynamic effect of tourism on the local economy are -

●       Development of new infrastructure in ways that complement or help fulfil local needs.

●       Supporting small enterprises to take advantage of growing markets and economies of scale provided by tourism.

●       Planning and support for local economies in the case of natural disasters.

●       Support for local institutions such as universities and training centres.

Mizoram has immense tourism opportunities that are yet to be discovered. And to boost the economy of the State tourism has to be promoted!

While promoting tourism, one should also see to it that, it has to be sustainable tourism.

 

Tuirihiau falls

What can be done to improve tourism in Mizoram?

It has potential economic growth so we need to improve it by:

●       By investing in creating Tourist Spots.

●       Planned Urbanisation. Construction near the monument of historic importance must be restricted.

●       Involving locals of a region to act like the tourist guide, set up a small business.

●       Protecting rights for foreigners especially females.

●       Promotion through TV advertisement through the tourism department. Eg Gujrat has already done well in this.

●       Attracting tourists throughout the year and not just is a few months of the year.

●       Preserving art and culture of a region so that speciality of regions does not vanish.

●       Improving the conditions of the road that leads to the tourists' spots.

●       Provide fast Internet connection and food availability of all kind at few famous tourists spots.

If all factors are taken care of then the tourist visiting will recommend others to visit other and thus a cycle goes on.

 

To conclude:

What is lacking is a vision and a policy which is practicable. The department needs to be innovative and we also need a government which has the vision and the will to bring change and create employment avenues for the youth of the State. The tourism department only needs to think out of the box and initiate policies which can help boost tourism in the state, and also help improve the economy of the state.

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