ITANAGAR, Jul 24: Amidst huge participation of homestay owners and tourism officials from 21 districts of the state, a two-day Homestay Owners Convention began here at the DK Convention Centre today.
Attending the inaugural function of the convention, Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng urged the participants to design unique model homestay.
“Let’s continue to work together to tell the story of Arunachal—one homestay, one guest, and one unforgettable experience at a time. Making Arunachal the most sought after niche destination,” he said.
Tayeng further said the state is not only the most diverse state in India, but perhaps one of the most diverse regions in the world.
From the fertile floodplains to the towering heights of Mt. Kangto, our state is a breathtaking tapestry of people, festivals, cultures, landscapes, flora and fauna, cuisines, and textiles, he added.
Tayeng who is also member of National Tourism Advisory Council advised the homestay owners to bridge the gap between guests and the soul of Arunachal, adding hospitality is the first impression and lasting memory of every visitor.
Tourism director Yashaswini B informed that the motive behind organizing state level homestay owners convention is to support and promote the homestay operators to enhance knowledge, communication skill, and waste management and give them a platform to network with each other.
Terming homestay as a forerunner of sustainable and responsible tourism, the newly appointed director asked each one to develop a unique model homestay in various parts of the state.
She also asserted to tap the tourism potential of the state where nature, culture and food of different ethnic tribes are the main USP.
Tourism deputy director Bengia Manna Sonam said the main motive of the event is to empower the homestay owners and make them celebrate and feel the ownership among themselves. 
Informing that the homestay movement in the state was started in the year 2012-13, the deputy director also said the convention will also make holistic plans to carry forward the development of homestay in the state.
Adviser to the state government in hospitality Raj Basu said there is an important need to link nature and cultural tourism with homestay.
Terming Arunachal Pradesh as a unique paradise on earth, he sought every one’s collaboration to make the state a hot destination for tourism.
State Food Craft Institute Principal S Kar informed that homestay ensures direct economic benefits to local villagers inhabiting areas of high tourism potential in the remote areas of the state and empower communities for sustainable management of tourism in their area for the economic development of the local community..
It also ensures credible, standard and uniform quality of services and facilities for the visitors coming for homestay experience and reduces the negative impact of tourism on traditional culture of the local indigenous communities.
RGU professor Arindam Chakrabarty highlighted the marketing, branding and visibility of homestay.
Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club chairman Koj Mama and TIO Dalin Tana also spoke.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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