Northeast: A challenge to open up

Industry leaders are pleading for co-ordinated state rules and COVID-19 protocols in the Northeast region.

Hazel Jain

Most states in the Northeast region have now opened up their borders for non-essential, tourist traffic. Assam has also eased travel restrictions, and tourists carrying a negative RT-PCR certificate can travel anywhere within the state. However, since travellers to Assam like to visit neighbouring states of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh as well, the lack of uniformity in rules and regulations between the respective states are making them think twice. This is the case with almost all states in the region. There is an urgent need of a uniform travel SOP and need for reliable and easy access to information on travel restrictions to not just the travellers but even the tour operators.

Sharing his experience during the pandemic, Ranjeet Das, President, Tour Operators Association of Assam (TOAA), says, “Though customer confidence is slowly picking up for this region, converting them has been a challenge for us due to lack of clarity on travel protocols in the Northeast states. Now that there is likely to be a behavioural shift in choosing rural, nature-based, wildlife and lesser-known destinations over crowded urban destinations, there is huge scope for Northeast India. But, it has to be complemented with competitive airfare and accurate information on products and activities with emphasis on ‘nature connect’. Horizontal collaboration and dialogues between the state tourism departments and tour operator associations should be initiated on priority.”

States have been silent

Unfortunately, state tourism departments have taken little heed to this problem. Amit Agarwal, Joint Secretary, India Tour Operators Association (Northeast), shares, “Tourism has restarted in the Northeast, but since all states have different SOPs for travelling, it is very difficult to convince people to come to this region to holiday as COVID testing or a negative COVID report is mandatory. When tourists come from other parts of India, they normally visit at least two to three states out of seven. With different travel criteria of each state, this is difficult. We have received few FIT enquiries, but after hearing the COVID norms, they don’t book. Associations are regularly bringing up the matter in front of the tourism departments but they seem to be absolutely silent on this at the moment.”

Accessibility to accurate information is another challenge, says Bjorn DeNiese, Northeast Tourism Specialist. “Domestic tourism in the Northeast has gradually picked up. States like Sikkim and Meghalaya have seen a spurt in arrivals especially from nearby West Bengal and Assam. Being one of the areas in the country where physical distancing is easy due to open spaces, it has also become a popular pick for professionals from metros for ‘workations’. However, Meghalaya requires tourists to produce a COVID-negative result to enter the state, which has deterred some arrivals. Each of the eight states has different protocols and accessibility to this information is another challenge,” he says.

DeNiese adds that tourism boards, while they have their hands tied, have gone the extra mile to ensure easier licensing and clearances.

Sharing another one of the challenges, E Banlum Blah, President, North East India Tourism Confederation (NEITC) and Proprietor, Clara Tours in Meghalaya, says that while this region comprising eight states is the least affected in the country by COVID because most of them are tribal states with thin population density, residents of many villages here still fear infection that can spread though outsiders who will visit their villages. “However, since most Northeast states have opened their borders with COVID protocols in place, it is hoped that gradually this fear of villagers will die down, keeping in mind there is no second wave,” he adds.

Hotels are also doing their bit to promote this region while marketing their property. Mohit Sharad, General Manager, Sales & Marketing North & East India, The Fern Hotels & Resorts, who recently opened a new property in the region – The Fern Denzong Hotel & Spa, Gangtok, Sikkim, says, “Confidence needs to be built up amongst travellers that Northeast is safe through positive marketing, and tourism bodies should take this up. Travellers are showing interest in travelling during long weekends and the festive season will further increase tourism in Gangtok.”