Nagaland Government Issues 'Security Tips' for Tourists Visiting Hornbill Festival

Kohima, November 8, 2019:

The Government of Nagaland has issued a set of security tips for the tourists who will be visiting the Hornbill Festival, Nagaland's biggest extravaganza, this year.

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The 'Tips' provided to tourists so that their experience of Hornbill is a pleasant one are as follows:

• Avoid going to isolated places without a proper guide.
• Don't hire taxis without number plates. Sit behind the driver so that you can see him but he cannot see you from the rear glass. Pay the driver only after reaching your destination and while you are still sitting in the car.
• Don't deal with middlemen and touts for any services.
• Don't write your home address and your phone number on the luggage. Instead, keep your address inside. Don't wear name tags in public. If on business trips, remove your tag while you leave your conference room or hotel.
• Stay with your luggage until it is checked.
• Keep your passport, credit cards, driving licence, and other important documents in separate handbags. Deposit it in the hotel's safe as soon as you get one.
• Keep a small flashlight handy. You never know when you'll suddenly find yourself in the dark.
• Travel with one or two credit cards only. If possible, keep sufficient credit in your account. Also, keep the help numbers to call in case of theft of credit cards.
• Don't accept anything edible from strangers.
• Don't eat anything from roadside vendors. Think only bottled water. Check the date and seal of packaging.
• Keep your prescription medicines with you.
• Always use stairs if fire is detected.
• Beware of staged road accidents. They might be meant to catch you unawares.
• Let your friends and hotel reception know where you are going. Keep their numbers to call in case of any eventuality.
• Don't discuss you travel plans or share any other personal information in public. Beware of eavesdroppers.
• Carry first aid supplies with you.
• Research and check about local weather and decide your clothes accordingly.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene, especially in ecologically sensitive areas.
• Respect local cultures and traditions.

The Hornbill Festival is a celebration held every year from 1 to 10 December, in Nagaland, Northeast India. It is also called the 'Festival of Festivals', and is thronged by people from across the world. To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. The first festival was held in 2000.

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