Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has noted that stable political conditions, an atmosphere of peace that permeates the North East today and also the fact that Meghalaya has moved from what was once an extractive economy to a regenerative economy is a major shift for the state.
“The ease of doing business in that atmosphere is just right and we would like to further accelerate and do everything possible to ensure that this ease is taken to its highest level,” Lyngdoh said while giving his keynote address during the Investor Summit cum Roundtable Conference on Investment Opportunities today.
According to the minister, the government is pro-investor and he added that it would like to ensure that the state’s fragile ecosystem is preserved for posterity.
“We have very clearly, in our tourism policy, stated that the government will go for high-value tourism but to encourage high-value tourism would mean that we create the kind of infrastructure that would attract high-value tourists,” he said.
Lyngdoh also said that the government is very clear in its vision that tourism will become a major employer in the state.
While delivering a presentation, Cyril Diengdoh, Director of Tourism, highlighted certain factors including Meghalaya’s aim to be among the top 10 states by 2032 in per capita income and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The other objectives are to increase GDP by 50 per cent, a two-fold increase in farmer incomes, nurturing future Olympians, quality education for all, 5 lakh employment, increase in border trade, etc.
The tourism sector in Meghalaya provides livelihood opportunities to almost 50,000 people and from 2024 onwards, a year-to-year growth of 10 per cent in footfall is expected with a conservative target of approximately 20 lakh tourists by 2028.
The summit brought together key stakeholders, industry experts and potential investors to explore and discuss the vast potential that Meghalaya holds for strategic investments.
