Aizawl: Mizoram is looking at Bhutan as a possible model for managing tourism in the future, with the state considering greater restrictions and a focus on high-value, high-end tourists once the sector matures, state Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar said on Tuesday.
Hmar, however, said that Mizoram was currently at a “budding stage” of tourism development and could not immediately adopt such restrictions, as it first needed to attract more visitors and establish itself as a tourism destination.
“We would love to be like Bhutan, where there are lots of restrictions. It’s a high-value, only high-end tourist (model), but we are not in a position to speak about that as of now,” Hmar told a news conference on the sidelines of a travel festival here.
He said that Mizoram could gradually move towards such a model after assessing the impact of increased tourist inflows.
“We want people to come to Mizoram. Then we will put, with a proper timeline, more restrictions. Maybe in five years, in 10 years, we would work in that direction,” he said.
Hmar said that the government was conscious that a rapid increase in tourism could have social and cultural consequences, including concerns related to women’s and children’s safety and the protection of local traditions and practices.
“We are very much aware of what tourism could bring in the future. We are aware of that, we are prepared, but we cannot say that we are well prepared,” he said, stressing the need to preserve peace and social harmony as tourist arrivals increase.
Hmar acknowledged that Mizoram was a “late starter” in tapping its tourism potential compared with other Northeastern states, but said that the state would seek to distinguish itself through its culture, adventure and nature.
“We want to sell the greens of Mizoram,” he said, adding that community-based tourism would be another major focus.
The minister said improved connectivity following the completion of railway links to Sairang would significantly change Mizoram’s tourism prospects.
At the same time, he said that the government would use social media to promote the state rather than depend heavily on expensive celebrity ambassadors.
Mizoram would market its “authentic” character, including its no-honking culture, traffic discipline and traditional practices, he said.
Hmar also said that the Mizoram Tourism Development Authority had decided to work with Mizoram University to conduct a comprehensive impact assessment of tourism.
The proposed study would examine the economic, social and other impacts of tourism on the state and help the government determine the appropriate course for future tourism development.
“We are still in a very budding stage. So, we will slowly move in that direction,” he said.