ADVISOR FOR TOURISM AND ART AND CULTURE BRIEFS THE HOUSE ON HORNBILL FESTIVAL 2021

Advisor for Tourism and Art & Culture, Khehovi Yepthomi addressed the House during the 9th Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly on 26th November 2021 and gave a brief presentation regarding the upcoming Hornbill Festival 2021. He said that for the past 21 years, the Hornbill Festival has been brilliantly showcasing the cultural canvas of Nagaland and the festival has proved to be one of the rarest kinds in the world drawing the interest of visitors from all over the world. He said that the Hornbill Festival is not only an annual cultural affair of mass get-togethers but a window to experience the unique identity and cultural legacy of our rich Naga traditions while also providing opportunities for the local economy to flourish. He further added that as per the post event analysis, the Hornbill Festival has promoted and created avenues for tourism trade and related business such as hospitality sector-hotels and restaurants, tourist taxi drivers, tour operators and tour guides, photographers, videographers, creative artists, IT experts, entertainers, local craftsmen, weavers and caterers, Self Help Groups etc.

On the celebration of the 22nd edition Hornbill Festival 2021, he said that the State Tourism Department will endeavour to minimise tourism related losses, boost tourism service providers and the hospitality sector while also maintaining Covid protocols and  encourage the increase in tourist footfall to make up for the financial hit it took since the onset of the pandemic. He also said that the Department was hopeful of reaching out to the wider audience with new innovative ideas and also achieve the objective of celebrating Hornbill Festival which is to facilitate the local artisan’s /artists/ textile industry /agro and allied sectors and also to generate employment opportunities

He further added that the State Tourism Department along with the Nagaland Government is all set to host the 9th International Tourism Mart (ITM) for the first time from 27th- 29th November and invited all attend the 22nd edition Hornbill Festival 2021and experience the treasure trove of surprises in store during the ten day cultural extravaganza.

(Esuihangle & Morotsung)