The sudden drive by the HNYF against Assam registered tourist taxis has caused uncertainty about the fate of tourism in Sohra.
The action by the pressure group has led to a sudden cancellation of tourist booking at a number of home-stays and lodges in Sohra. Few home-stay operators said that they suffered financial loss as tourists who have booked the rooms for stay have cancelled their plan.
Meanwhile, tourism operators in Sohra have lamented that the HNYF action threatens their livelihood as tourists may hesitate to visit Sohra henceforth.
Speaking to this newspaper, a number of home-stay owners said that they now worry about their economic stability.
“I took out a loan from the bank last year to open my home-stay. If the tourists stop coming, I’ll not be able to repay the loan,” a local home-stay owner said.
Another home-stay owner said that people in Sohra depend on tourism to earn their bread and butter.
“The mining of sand and stones has been banned by the government. The MCCL has also stopped operation. If tourism is also stopped, the people of Sohra will face starvation. Are pressure groups aware of this?” she asked.
Even the traditional heads are also concerned. Some of them said that pressure groups should have resorted to a matured approach to get their demand instead of disturbing tourism.
“They may be justified with their demand for MRSSA but this is not the way to achieve their demand. People will not support such groups which adopt measures that are against livelihood and employment,” a headman said on condition of anonymity.
He also said that a number of tourist spots in Sohra are run by the community and any disruption of the tourist inflow would have an adverse economic impact on the community as a whole.
Meanwhile, various stakeholders in the tourism sector said that today’s incident has led to a loss of 30 per cent of the accommodation bookings apart from revenue generated by indirect stakeholders. Another 50 percent cancellation of tours and activities from Saturday onwards is expected as news of the incident has travelled rapidly all over the country, they added.
Pointing out that the tourism industry in the state has reached its momentum in the last few years, the incident has affected the arduous work that they as stakeholders have built up over the years.
“We, the tourism stakeholders, are in a state of shock to observe that various local NGOs/pressure groups are having a free run in the State and behaving like the government,” they stated.
They also urged them to refrain from such embarrassing and illegal acts of intimidation to tourists and travelers who are in no way involved in the politics of the state.
The stakeholders also said that they have been mere silent spectators on the various issues of lawlessness in and around Shillong and Ri Bhoi areas which have resulted in violence and intimidation of workers who are involved in tourism infrastructure works.
They also pointed out another fallout in the tourism sector is the recent advisory of the US Government warning their citizens against visiting Meghalaya. “This does not result in discouraging the US tourists only but gives a loud message to all foreign as well as domestic tourists desiring to visit Meghalaya,” they added.
They also apologise on behalf of the peace loving people of Meghalaya for any inconvenience caused to their travel plans even as it urged them to visit the state again.
The tourism sector stakeholders include the Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya, Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum, Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum, Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya, Central Body, Federation of Shillong Hotels, Department of Tourism & Travel Management, Martin Luther Christian University and Department of Tourism & Hotel Management, NEHU.
‘Will not allow such acts to happen in future’
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has said the government was caught unaware by the sudden move of the Hynñiewtrep National Youth Federation (HNYF) act to bar Assam registered vehicles to enter tourist spots in the state and vowed to not allow such acts to happen in the future.
Tynsong, who is also in charge of the Home Department, condemned the incident and said the government did not expect that a group of people “would do such things.”
Terming it unfortunate he said, “The law has taken its course and we will not allow such things to happen in future”. He said the government is open for talks and to find a solution for any grievances.
“It was unfair to treat tourists in that manner by sending them back. If people from Meghalaya wanted to visit Brahmaputra bridge, but stopped, how would they feel”? These people are tourists, they are here to visit the beauty of Meghalaya that God has blessed us with. So I don’t understand why the NGO has adopted this behaviour” he questioned.
Sohra MLA, Gavin M. Mylliem has also condemned the action of the HNYF and said this would negatively have an impact on the reputation of the state and could evoke a similar response, which would also affect the people of the state.
He said residents of the Sohra rely on tourism for their livelihood and such acts would hinder the state’s growth and its tourism-dependent communities.
“This is unacceptable, as it will negatively impact the tourism market in Sohra and other parts of the State, on which many of us rely for our livelihood,” Alan West, an entrepreneur said, adding, this action tarnished the reputation of our state, which is widely known for its hospitality and kindness, ‘kaba tip briew tip blei’.”
