NAMSAI — Highlighting a shift toward sustainable and inclusive growth, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein declared on Monday that the future of the state’s tourism must be community-driven. Speaking at the North-East India Tourism Confederation (NEITC) conference, Mein emphasized that local stakeholders—not just outside investors—must be the primary architects of the sector.
The conference, held for the first time in the Namsai district, served as a platform to discuss how improved infrastructure is bringing the state closer to major global tourism circuits.
The “Community-Driven” Framework
The Deputy CM outlined a model where the benefits of tourism stay within the local economy. Key pillars of this vision include:
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Local Ownership: Active roles for tour operators, homestay owners, self-help groups (SHGs), and entrepreneurs.
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Responsible Practices: A focus on “clean, green, and inclusive” tourism that is well-regulated to prevent environmental degradation.
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Authenticity over Expansion: Mein cautioned against unregulated growth, specifically urging the homestay sector to follow strict guidelines to maintain quality and cultural authenticity.
Infrastructure as a Catalyst
The state has seen a significant boost in connectivity in recent years, which Mein noted has “significantly enhanced” Arunachal’s potential.
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Regional Integration: Improved roads and transit points are successfully integrating Arunachal into the broader North-East tourism circuit.
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Economic Impact: By fostering a sense of ownership among locals, the government aims to ensure that infrastructure leads to long-term economic stability for residents.
Notable Attendees
The inaugural session featured key figures from across the North-East and the Union government:
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Rajendra Kumar Suman: Northeast Regional Director, Union Tourism Ministry.
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EB Blah: President of the NEITC.
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Tsering Wange: Convention Chairman.
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C R Khampa: Deputy Commissioner of Namsai.
“Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh must be community-driven… the long-term success of the sector depends on the sense of ownership and responsibility among the people,” the Deputy CM stated.
