Global trade

There is no doubt that tourism trade is the world’s biggest revenue earner for countries the world over. Global trade and tourism’s contribution to GDP increased by $1 trillion in 2021 to reach $ 5.8 trillion while the sector’s share of the whole global economy increased from 5.3% to 6.1% in 2021. Coming to India and particularly to the north east states, Sikkim was reported to have netted Rs.378,257 crore in 2022. On the other hand revenue from tourism in Nagaland netted Rs.179.419 crore during the third of 2022. Nagaland has been holding the annual Hornbill Festival since 2000 and over the decades, it has undergone major changes in quality and content. Nagaland has yet to attract the desired number of tourists except during the short seven-day Hornbill Festival in Kohima. It has been a generally held view that Nagaland’s tourism potential has yet to be exploited. First and foremost, it needs to be understood that these “untapped potential(s)” should be identified and honestly assessed whether overall, the state has something that would make tourists want to visit the state. Sikkim is a good example where eco-tourism has grown into a thriving industry due to government intervention along with awareness spread through tourism-oriented NGOs. There are states which attract tourists with their agro produce such as the wines of Shillong, oranges of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Nagaland could base its appeal with Agri tourism as there is ample evidence of horticulture and floriculture which people in general are familiar with. Agri-tourism, which is also one among many other facest of the attractions offered by Thailand,can become a special beneficiary in the development of tourism and travel industry. Tourism has become a global mega industry tourism industry, as unlike with other industries, there is not one clear product. It incorporates many industries, including accommodation, transport, attractions, travel companies, and more. In its broadest sense, tourism is defined as when people travel and stay in places outside of their usual environment for less than one consecutive year for leisure, business, health, or other reasons. In economic terms the travel and tourism industry is able to do three key things: 1- It gives vigour to economies. 2 – It offers people jobs and career prospects. 3 – It stimulates development. 5 – Economic development and regeneration. The other is to impress upon the importance of ‘responsible tourism’ whose goal is to create “better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit.” It is a comprehensive approach to the travel and tourism industry ensuring that the potential negative impacts of tourism are minimized while contributing to the preservation local livelihoods, culture and conservation on which they are dependent. Ten reasons why you should visit the elusive northeast. Further, tourists visit places for various reasons-pilgrimage, relaxation and health,agri and environment,shopping, culture and others. Therefore, the list needs to be whittled down so that the concentration could help in faster development instead of fritting away to pander all kinds of unrealistic dreams, trying to copy other states or simply failure to understand that the government cannot and should not be the main player.