By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Friday rued the fact that the State, despite being one of top 5 tourist destinations in the country, has not been able to derive the optimum benefit out of the potentiality that the State has in terms of hospitality, education and health sectors.
The Chief Minister made the observation after inaugurating the makemytrip.com retail store in the city.
“Nevertheless, a beginning is being made today and the government also has a number of interventions and initiatives where we would like to reach out to potential partners in the hospitality sector,” Dr Sangma said.
The Chief Minister stressed on the need to project Shillong as a ‘brand name’ to realize the benefits at the optimum level.
“We even have to look beyond our boundaries to Bhutan, Bangladesh and the neighbouring south-east Asian countries as the potential lies in moving together,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said that the State must have partners who are engaged in the hospitality sector to make full use of the benefit that can be derived from the huge potentiality that the State possesses.
Urban Affairs Minister and Laitumkhrah legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh, MLA RV Lyngdoh and Chairperson of Meghalaya State Women Commission Roshan Warjri were also present on the occasion.
It may be mentioned that the retail store at Laitumkhrah has been opened in partnership with Mawpun Lynti Travels.