World Tourism Day

Tourism can have huge impact on state’s development: Gamlin

Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Sep 27: World Tourism Day was celebrated here at the Dorjee Khandu Convention Centre on 27 September with an array of displays showcasing what Arunachal Pradesh has to offer to tourists.
Addressing a host of students, visitors, tour operators and government officials, Tourism Minister Jarkar Gamlin highlighted how tourism has become an important sector that can deeply impact the overall development of a country’s economy.
“If used properly, tourism can have a huge impact on the overall development of Arunachal Pradesh,” he said.
This year, the tourism department collaborated with the Arunachal Literature & Art Festival to celebrate the day with the theme, ‘Tourism and digital transformation’.
Noted photographers of the state, such as Jeewang Wangsu, Sanjay Mosing, Tom Meitei, Tallo Anthony, Karishma Duggong, Nyapi Padu, Tajum Yomcha and Yanam Bage Heche displayed their framed works of landscapes and places of Arunachal.
A mobile photography section was also on display.
Women engaged under the Hunar Se Rozgar scheme prepared local food items from the book ‘Aromas of Arunachal’, and set them up for display, while artists Hibu Tamo and Nyamar Riyang kept visitors engaged with their live painting session.
Local businesses such as the Oju Welfare Association displayed handmade galeys (sarong), while Funky Local, an Itanagar-based merchandise company, had quirky T-shirts up for sale.
Earlier, a promotional video capturing the landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh was screened. It also featured important calendar festivals of the state, and offered glimpses of the state’s 12 tourist circuits.
Later, in a poetry recitation competition held as part of the programme, Loni Maling won the first prize, while Lain Chotunkhum and Rabya Actoru won the second and third prize, respectively.
In the painting competition for school students, Joydeep Bhowal of KV No 1 Itanagar received the first prize. Danisa Devi of Malancha Art Academy came second, and Sujit Sharma of VKV Nirjuli came third. Special mention was made of Reshmi Devi of KV No 1 and Rido Nini of Lekhi Public School.
World Tourism Day was also celebrated in Pasighat, where ADC Tatdo Borang said East Siang district has enough scope and potential in aero, aqua and land adventure sports “to make it a leading adventure tourism destination.”
The ADC advised the people to “adopt fresh and modern ideas and develop the team spirit to achieve the goal.” He also distributed prizes to achievers on the occasion.
District Tourism Officer T Tatak presented a report on the celebration, and the achievements of the department.
Students from various schools participated in several competitions held as part of the celebration.
At Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic College in Itanagar, the All Arunachal Tourism Students’ Union (AATSU) organized an awareness campaign with the theme ‘Tourism and cultural protections’ on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai in his address said tourism students with their vast knowledge of tourism management should be job creators, not job seekers. He also said the AAPSU would continue its drive against illegal immigrants in the state.
Among others, state BJP Yuva Morcha leader Beli Gadi and AATSU executive members were present on the occasion.
In Lower Dibang Valley district, the Arunachal Pradesh Tour Operators’ Association in collaboration with the tourism department organised an orientation programme on ‘homestay hospitality and rural tourism’ at Mishmi Hill Camp in Ezengo village to mark World Tourism Day.
Addressing the participants, Everester Tine Mena encouraged the youths, especially young women, to take up tourism as a source of income and self-sustainability, and said starting homestays is a convenient way of earning a livelihood.
“We have so much to offer to the tourists, who are mostly interested in the natural beauty of our district as well as our tradition and culture,” she said.
DIPRO N Namchoom advised the homestay enthusiasts to offer cost-effective services to tourists. “Maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness is also important to attract tourists,” she said.
Neharika Sehgal Umbrey from Roing-based A1 Travel Management spoke on the procedures and steps to establish a homestay facility.
CO Olik Apang was also present.
In Siang district, the tourism department organized an inter-school quiz competition on ‘Arunachal Tourism’ at Boleng on the occasion of Tourism Day.
Oisi Pabin and Midum Nyitan, both Class 9 students of the government secondary school, Boleng, won the first position. Germang Tamin (Class 8) and Lucky Mibang (Class 7) of Riverdale Academy School, Boleng, stood second, while Momo Tatin and Jalender Kumar, both Class 8 students of the government upper primary school, Rengo, bagged the third prize.
The winners were awarded with prizes and certificates by GHSS Principal T Tamuk. (With inputs from correspondent and DIPROs)