Shillong, August 10 : The Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis, IIM Shillong, organized a 2-Day Symposium on Community Based Tourism in North East India on August 10-11, 2023.
The symposium was inaugurated by Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Tourism, Government of Nagaland, in the presence of Gaigongdin Panmei, IRS, NEC, Atul Kulkarni, BoG member of IIM Shillong, and Prof. D.P. Goyal, Director, IIM Shillong.
The symposium was attended by experts from the tourism industry, government officials, and academicians. They discussed the various aspects of CBT, including its models, tourism ecosystems, and business opportunities.
In his inaugural address, Minister Along highlighted the importance of experiential tourism at the community level. He said that tourism cannot function in a standalone manner and that the focus should be on giving tourists an experience. He also said that most of the destinations in the North Eastern Region are yet to be explored and that linkages should be made to promote multi-ethnic culture.
Prof. Goyal said that IIM Shillong, being an institution of National Importance (INI), should have the responsibility of contributing to the region. He said that the newly designed Community Immersion Program for IIM Shillong students can help to promote CBT in the region.
G. Panmei said that there is a need for a common tourism policy for the North Eastern Region. He said that a matrix for circuits across all 8 states of the region should be developed. He also said that there is a need to sensitize the people at the village level about CBT infrastructure and to standardize certain food menus.
Atul Kulkarni said that CBT is a great way for travelers to experience a unique type of travel while also making a positive contribution to rural communities. He said that CBT is an alternative to addressing the disruption in the expanding tourism industry of the North Eastern Region.
