From a hotbed of violence to a hotspot of tourism, Nagaland is seeing an image makeover.

Leading this effort is Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. While many eyebrows were raised when he started with his own village, converting it into a heritage site, he has shut up all critics with the speed with which the idea has caught on.

From about 60,000 domestic visitors and 2,000 foreign tourists in 2005, the figures shot up to over one lakh Indians and a little over 3,500 foreigners who came to Nagaland last year.

Says Tourism Commissioner and Secretary Khekiye K Sema: “Tourists are coming to Nagaland from different parts of the world, including France, Germany, England, Israel, Korea, Thailand and the US.”

Such is the rush that capital Kohima is witnessing a spurt in new hotels and tourist bungalows. While three years ago, a government tourist lodge and Hotel Japfu (initially promoted by ITDC) were the only two decent accommodations, now the city has at least 10 good hotels and lodges. Two bungalows have been converted into heritage hotels.

Chief Minister Rio says Nagaland has many attractions for tourists: “We have so many things to show. And the state has always evoked a sense of mysticism and awe due to its geographical remoteness. While an ordinary Naga may not be able to compete with people from other states in many fields, when it comes to hospitality, I can bet the Nagas are the best.”

One of the features the state is touting is its unique model of villages generating their own income through communitisation of assets. This started at Touphema, 41 km from Kohima, and now its 600-odd villagers are beginning to reap the benefits of tourism.

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