By Benjamin Lyngdoh
In Meghalaya today the phrase ‘tourism potential’ has become a buzzword. In general, people talk of it as if it is such an elementary issue; something that does not require much thinking, analysis, planning and strategy. We go out to the hills and valleys, rivers and waterfalls, caves and rocks, etc; and the first thing we start contemplating on is, ‘tourism potential’. In most cases, whenever we see natural beauty surrounding us we conclude that the place has got tourism potential and as such let us start thinking of promoting the spot as such. Amidst this herd mentality, we fail to factor the important point that tourism is not a panacea and it is not an answer to all of our developmental problems. Tourism may work for some pockets and it will not work for others. But, where do we draw the line? How do we know where and when to do tourism and where and when not to? The answer lies in comprehending the true nature of tourism potential and the potency of its implementation. As such, this article is a representation of the skewed nature of how Meghalaya has mistakenly understood its tourism potential. In relation to this, the visit to Wei Sawdong Falls (a picturesque attraction near Dainthlen Falls) over the New Year is the motivation for writing this piece. Accordingly, I place the following pointers –
Firstly, let us just figure out as to what really is ‘tourism potential?’ If we are able to address this question then our tourism will have a better sense of direction and meaning. At the outset we have to realize that tourism potential does not only mean scenic beauty. It is not only about the breathtaking thrill that one gets while visiting a fascinating tourism spot. In fact, this element of ‘scenic beauty’ is the least important. As such, if we crave that our tourism development will be responsible and sustainable with socio-economic benefits to the grassroots stakeholders then we will have to give due importance to the real elements that matter, namely – accessibility of the spot, availability of basic hospitality services such as food and sanitation, possibility of presenting the culture and practices of the place as a learning to the clientele, capability and readiness of the people/community to do tourism, ability to do basic planning and control by the managers of the spot and finally, figuring out as to the form of tourism a particular spot will propagate (say adventure or sports or recreation or educational, etc). These elements are to be factored holistically so as to really define the tourism potential. Without taking care of these issues, tourism development initiatives will become a bane for all concerned.
Secondly, we must not pick and choose amongst the elements mentioned above. Neither should we give more weight to some selected elements by ignoring the others. Most critically, scenic beauty must not be the driving element that defines the tourism potential of any spot. However, that is the exact problem with tourism development in Meghalaya. The vast majority of our spots are propagated around the pillar of scenic beauty alone. This is so wrong and so callous on our part. All we see is the present while the practices for sustainability are alien to us. This is also precisely the reason why our spots (particularly those which are nature based) are dirty and filthy with plastics and bottles, littered with thrown away eatables; have no sense of proper sanitation measures, etc. To this end, all that works for a particular spot is the collection of parking fees and the sales of chips and beverages. Amidst all this, the damage being done to the natural setting and its preservation far outweigh the benefits that accrue to the people/community (to whom the spot belongs). Hence (to name a few), the elements of availability of basic hospitality services, capability and readiness of the people/community to do tourism and the management of the spot will always figure as the decisive factor towards the proper running and success of any tourism spot. Sadly, this is primarily missing in most cases.
Thirdly, I would like to present a case in point in the form of a recently popularized spot called Wei Sawdong. However, it must be noted that the issues that we faced at Wei Sawdong are the same as faced in other nature-based tourism spots of Meghalaya. Wei Sawdong is now a happening tourism spot located around Sohra and just a few kilometers down the road from the famous Dainthlen falls. Personally, the visit to the spot started with high expectations of serenity and recreation. Sadly, it ended with a bitter and a disappointed feeling. As of today, Wei Sawdong stands as one of the deplorable examples of tourism being started after factoring the one and only one element of tourism potential – that of scenic beauty alone! As the other elements are totally ignored the spot has brought about more damage than benefits to the local community. There are issues galore ranging from waste management to sanitation to lack of tourism services to planning and strategy, etc. Scarily, that is not the end of it! Through a conversation with the boys running the parking bay, one learnt that there are other spots in that area which they are looking to develop as a tourism product. Apparently, there is some stream which has got health/medicinal benefits. What these youth need to be told is not to popularize any further spots in the area until they have put in proper systems for tourism development in place. Above all, the community must be capable and ready to run an even bigger show; else the damages of Wei Sawdong shall multiply manifold!
Lastly, we must not be too hard on our local communities that are involved in tourism activities. Tourism is now highly specialized and an ‘experience economy’. Hence, it would be impractical to expect our local communities to meet up to the clientele’s expectations at all times. This is more so in case of those communities who are venturing into tourism for the first time. Fact being, some of them are very poorly aware about tourism and its nature (especially in terms of business operations). As such, what is the way out? The way out is counseling, guidance and hand-holding. These local communities need proper awareness on tourism and its operational dynamics across finance, human resources, marketing and information technology and tourism spot management. A series of counseling discussions is a must before starting any tourism destination. Here, it would be better if a dedicated plan of tourism management for a particular area is developed which shall act as a future guideline. To this end, the state government may look into the possibility of initiating a specialized agency which shall help the local communities in tourism planning, growth and development (starting with the assessment of tourism potential). In addition, localized NGOs with specialized knowledge and expertise of a place can play their roles. Well that way, the tourism students and teachers can play their own part for a much more streamlined, responsible, sustainable and strategized tourism development in Meghalaya.