Seminar on Improving the Quality of Homestays by Manipur Tourism Department

The Manipur Tourism, with an aim at improving the tourism industry in the state, holds a seminar on Home Stays & Sustainable Tourism at Sangai Hall, Hotel Imphal on Thursday. The seminar took place as a part of 'Paryatan Parv 2018' celebration in the state.

Attending the seminar Manipur Tourism Director W Ibohal Singh, in his welcome address, said that the Manipur Tourism Department is in the process of preparing guidelines of homestay which are being issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Apart from the preparation of the guidelines which the homestay owners would need to follow in order to welcome new tourists, there will be provisions to provide training to the registered homestay owners as well. For making people aware of the benefits of developing homestays, district wise awareness programmes conveying the importance of Homestay development too will be arranged.

The Director further said that it is very important for one to know as to what a tourist is looking for while visiting a place. Improvement of the quality of the homestays and proving adequate facilities to the tourists staying in the homestays plays a vital role in inviting new and more tourists every year to the state. Moreover, it is pretty essential for the homeowners to be capable of building an emotional attachment with the tourists.

For a state like Manipur where there is a slow advancement of technology, building a strong tourism industry is must in order to increase the state revenues. Another speaker of the seminar, Assistant Professor, (CESD), Manipur University, Dr Irengbam Rubita said that cultural exchanges with the guests will strengthen the relationship between the guest and the host. A taste of the authentic cuisines, traditional rituals and dressing will impress and attract more of the tourists to come for a visit to Manipur.

Other participants of the seminar like the homestay owners too shared their experiences that they garnered while running the homestay business.