Coinciding with the Mini Hornbill Festival ‘Yemshe’, the premier festival of the Pochury tribe, the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the Nagaland Tourism Association (NTA), conducted a capacity-building training on homestay and tour guiding in Phor Village, Phek district on 2nd October 2024.
The NTA informed in a press release that S. Peter Trakha, Senior Tourist Officer, Phek, delivered the keynote address at the event where he emphasized the importance of empowering the local community in tourism development. He stated: “Such training programs are crucial for rural communities to benefit from tourism opportunities, while ensuring that the traditions and culture of Nagaland are shared authentically with visitors.”
Vimeto Vakha, President of the Nagaland Tourism Association, the resource person in the first session, addressed the participants on the topic of “Tourism Potential in Nagaland and Homestay as a Business”. He emphasized the unique cultural and natural heritage of Phor Village, highlighting its untapped potential as a tourist destination. Vakha also underscored the importance of preserving the history and traditions of the village while opening it up to the world through sustainable tourism. He said that Phor Village has a rich story to tell, and homestays can play a vital role in offering authentic experiences to visitors.
The second session was led by Veshehu Kezo, General Secretary of the Nagaland Tourism Association, who presented on the topic of “Tour Guiding as a Profession.” He shared valuable insights into the skills required to be a successful tour guide, emphasizing the importance of knowledge, communication, and professionalism in shaping a positive experience for tourists. Kezo encouraged local youth to consider tour guiding as a rewarding and viable career, especially with the growing interest in Nagaland’s tourism.
Earlier, the training program commenced with an invocation by Yichutu, Associate Pastor of the New Phor Baptist Church, followed by a welcome address by Lazithu Trakha.
The event concluded with a sense of optimism as participants expressed their eagerness to apply the skills and knowledge gained. The Department of Tourism and the Nagaland Tourism Association look forward to organizing similar programs to support local tourism initiatives in the future.
The NTA said that the program brought together numerous participants from Phor and neighbouring villages, who engaged in interactive sessions and discussions. This initiative aims to build local capacity in tourism, promoting sustainable tourism development while preserving the cultural heritage of the Pochury tribe.
