DAMBUK, Oct 5: Forty-eight community-based tourism (CBT) leaders and stakeholders from Lower Dibang Valley (LDV) and Dibang Valley districts participated in a two-day training programme on hospitality which concluded here on Saturday.
The programme, which largely focused on homestays and integrating local villages with the state government-sponsored Dambuk Orange Festival, was conducted at the suggestion of Chief Minister Pema Khandu that local stakeholders be made a part of government-sponsored tourism festivals.
During the training, traditions, agriculture and wildlife were identified as the major strengths in tourism promotion. The villagers formed the LDV Himalayan Orange Tourism Committee, which will plan month-long activities in the villages. The participants also opined that a community-based museum should be set up at the heritage site.
The participants were also trained on the basics of ‘Atithi devo bhava environment’, housekeeping, menu planning, table layout and hygiene. A number of homestays, local lodges, ‘orange retreats’ and camping facilities would be provided to visitors to the month-long festival.
Certificates were later awarded to all the participants of the programme.
