A two-day symposium on community-based tourism (CBT) in the North East concluded today, organised by IIM Shillong.
Experts, tourism industry leaders, students and stakeholders from across the region took part in the, which aimed at exploring the potential of community-driven tourism and its role in sustainable development.
The symposium, which took place at IIM Shillong’s Umsawli campus, featured an array of informative sessions and discussions, providing a platform for meaningful dialogues and collaborations. Students from esteemed institutions such as Martin Luther Christian University, ICFAI, Royal Global University Guwahati, Shillong Law College, Down Town University Guwahati and Bajoria Group of Institutions joined the event.
The inaugural session was dedicated to delving into the theme of CBT in the North East. This was followed by an address by Director of Tourism Cyril VD Diengdoh, who shared insights on the government’s role in nurturing tourism ecosystems and the state’s tourism policy.
The second day of the symposium was marked by three technical sessions on exploring opportunities under CBT, community concerns and participation and CBT business models in the North East.
The symposium culminated with a closing ceremony, in which Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh was the chief guest. Lyngdoh shared his insights on Shillong’s beauty and the potential of the tourism policy, while highlighting the exemplary role of Sohra as a model of CBT. He emphasised the need for guided itineraries to promote tourism across various regions of the North East, encouraging visitors to explore the rich diversity of Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and beyond.
