By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Two five-star category hotels are being built in the state while the state government has decided to encourage local entrepreneurs to set up 1000 rooms home-stay to address the problem of sufficient rooms for accommodation of tourists during the peak tourist season.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Tuesday informed that two five star hotels, one at Khanapara and other at Police Bazaar, would soon be set up.
“I wild soon lay the foundation of the five star hotel to be set up at Khanapara. The other will be built somewhere in Police Bazaar, “ Dr Sangma said addressing a press conference on Tuesday.
“We always receive complaints from tourists about lack of sufficient rooms in various city hotels during the peak season. We believe, setting up of the two five star hotels will help address the problem of accommodation to a large extent, “ he said.
The State Government is contemplating to encourage local entrepreneurs who are keen to make long strides in the hospitality sector, to set up 1000 rooms home stay. Dr Sangma promised financial assistance to local entrepreneurs willing to take up such projects.
As part of its plan to promote rural tourism, the State Government will also encourage young entrepreneurs to establish small resorts in rural areas to attract tourists to the pristine and picturesque rural environment in the state. “We are confident such small resorts will go a long way in translating the Government’s dream of promoting rural tourism into a reality, “ the CM said.
Modalities of this concept of rural tourist resorts are being examined by the State Planning department as the Government is keen to provide financial assistance to entrepreneurs willing to set up small resorts in rural areas.
Dr Sangma underlined the need to promote the North Eastern Region as a single tourist destination to improve the flow of foreign tourists to the region. The State Government is also exploring tie up with neighbouring nations like Bhutan, Bangladesh and Thailand for tourism promotion in the state. The CM, however, admitted that the State needed much better infrastructure for promotion of tourism.