ITANAGAR, Feb 2: The third edition of the Homestay Congress for the state of Arunachal Pradesh concluded at Ziro today, with 30 participants from across the Subansiri Basin taking part in the event.
Post Inauguration the sessions dealt with expectations for responsible destinations and tourists, homestay as anchors for sustainable development and good communication in hospitality. Bengia Manna Sonam, Deputy Director Tourism spoke on the vision, policy and schemes for Rural Tourism and Homestays by the GoAP.
On the second day, the main resource person was Bhaichung Bhutia, former Captain of Indian Football Team and Ambassador for Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT), who updated the participants on Gurubas, the sustainable destination development model, which he is implementing at his village Tinkitam in south Sikkim. He also visited some sites of Ziro.
The session continued on First Aid basics by Indian Red Cross Society and status of tourism in Arunachal Pradesh by APTOA.
There were sessions on all three days on hygiene, COVID-19 protocols, housekeeping, food production and table service by SFCI.
The concluding session was chaired by DTO, Ziro based on feedback by participants, waste management by waste to wealth and giving away certificates of participation.
Also, the registration certificates for new homestays from the Department of Tourism, GoAP were given through the hands of Bhaichung.
The ‘team’ returned post visiting Chullyu, a model agrotourism village, which was appreciated by the former Indian Captain.