Meghalaya hosted a tourism summit attended by tourism ministers from North Eastern and Eastern states along with Andaman and Nicobar Islands to share insights on how to improve tourism through collaborative efforts and sustainable practices.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat chaired the conference wherein several states’ presentations were held where tourism potentials were discussed alongside future plans for enhancement.
This is the third meeting in the series, the earlier ones being for the northern, central and western regions in Chandigarh followed by Goa respectively.
“These meetings will focus on developing iconic tourist destinations globally, enhancing alternative destinations, and improving marketing, promotion, safety, connectivity, cleanliness, and ease of doing business in the tourism sector,” Shekhawat stated.
He informed that the tourism industry is looking for investments from private players for a greater push as part of the public private partnership (PPP) model.
The Minister highlighted several government initiatives aimed at bolstering tourism. “From 2014-15 to 2018-19, the government undertook 76 projects worth Rs 5000 crore, including 16 in the Northeast,” he said.
Shekhawat said the Swadesh Darshan scheme to focus on sustainability and responsible tourism and under the revised scheme, 57 destinations across 32 states and UTs have been identified, and 23 projects worth Rs 715 crore have been launched under Swadesh Darshan 2.
Under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme, so far, 46 projects worth Rs 1624 crore have been initiated under the PRASAD scheme.
He called on states to submit proposals for tourism development in various sectors. “We encourage states to submit proposals for spiritual tourism, culture and heritage, vibrant village programs, eco-tourism, and Amrit Dharohar sites. The Ministry has selected 42 destinations across various tourism themes in 25 states and UTs for development under this scheme,” he noted.
During the marathon meeting, which lasted over seven hours, the Minister expressed appreciation for the presentations and commitment shown by the states. “I am excited about the presentations and the dedication shown by each state. I would like to extend my gratitude to all states, ministers, and officials for their valuable contributions,” he remarked.
Addressing the challenges faced by the sector, the Minister acknowledged the need for improvements in connectivity and the development of homestays. “We have noted all observations and challenges, and we are committed to finding solutions to enhance our tourism sector,” he said.
State Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh while addressing the conference spoke on the landscapes of Meghalaya and how the mysterious and magnificent range of caves, including the UNESCO-recognised Mawmluh cave, has drawn adventure enthusiasts from around the globe.
He said that tourism is the second-largest employment generator in Meghalaya, and the government’s vision is to transform the State into India’s most preferred tourist destination.
He however said that this also poses many challenges to the state. “Popular tourist destinations in Meghalaya are frequently visited by a large number of tourists which creates a heavy burden on the natural assets of the State. This imbalance is further compounded by limited connectivity and insufficient infrastructure, such as accommodation units, amenities and utilities at many tourist destinations, Lyngdoh said.
According to him to overcome these challenges, the government wants to promote sustainable and responsible tourism, achieve equal distribution of tourists across the state and promote new destinations.
He therefore said that the state is actively working with tourism stakeholders, including local communities, businesses and tourism partners, to create a unified path toward sustainable and inclusive growth.
Lyngdoh pointed out that in recent years Meghalaya has emerged as a captivating destination on India’s travel map.
As of 2023, Meghalaya’s tourism industry has directly employed 50,084 residents while investments have reached Rs 465 crores over the last three years.
Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry experienced a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate of 7.34 per cent, which is anticipated to result in a significant surge in the next five years.
Lyngdoh said that the tourism sector in Meghalaya not only drives the economic growth of the state, but also generates employment with 50,000 jobs being provided directly.
