Agitation hits tourism industry hard in Sohra
SOHRA: The decreasing tourist footfalls to the State for the past one and half months due to the agitations by the pro-ILP activist has affected the tourism industry especially in Sohra, which is one of the major tourism destination in the State.
Various stakeholders including hotel resort owners and small time vendors from Sohra areas who are dependent on tourists from outside for their livelihood held at meeting at Sa-I-Mika Park at Sohra on Thursday to discuss the prevailing law and order situation.
The stakeholders have appealed to both the Government and pressure groups which are in confrontation mode to end this impasse in the best interests of the State.
During the meeting, the stakeholders in tourism have all decided to constitute a joint forum of all stakeholders which would look into the welfare of the people engaged in tourism related activities. .
During the visit to Sohra, journalists found that the worst to be affected from the agitations are the small time vendors who are having serious difficulties in making their ends meet. Many take care of their families through earnings from daily visitors who buy their products.
A small time vendor at Nohkalikai Falls, Phira Warjri said that the families of the small time vendors would die of starvation if these agitations continue.
“This is our bread and butter. We have no other economic activities to sustain our families,” Warjri said.
The owner of Amenity Restaurant at Mawsmai Cave, Doree Mary Sohkhlet said, “it is during the Puja season that our earnings peak since maximum tourists from outside the State come visiting during this time. In fact, whatever we earn during this season takes care of our expenses for the whole year including our children’s education,” Stating that with very less tourist visiting Sohra due to ongoing agitation it is difficult to pay the salaries of her employees,”.
“In fact, we are earning more during the off season compared to what we are earning now,” Sohkhlet said.
Owner of Nangiai Kyrsoi Tourist Resort Pyrkhat Sohkhlet said the number of tourists to Sohra has dwindled considerably.
“We used to have a huge rush during this Puja season. But due to the agitations business has been badly affected,” Sohkhlet said.
He said that the people of Sohra who are dependent on tourism activities for their livelihoods have been left in the lurch due to the agitations.
“We urge upon the pressure groups and the Government to end this impasse at the earliest,” Owner of Nangiai Kyrsoi Tourist Resort said.
Owner of Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort at Laitkynsew village Denis P Rayen said that the State needs a conducive atmosphere for the tourism industry to grow.
“This kind of situation is pulling things backward especially at this juncture when the people in the rural areas have started to realize that they can earn a livelihood from tourism. The State Government would have to ensure that there is peace and harmony in the State. We need to remove the ‘fear psychosis’ among people from outside the State and send them a strong message that Meghalaya is a safe place for the tourist,” Rayen said.
Meanwhile, the lessee of Mawsmai Cave, William Suting said that during the peak season, there are 3000 to 4000 people visiting Mawsmai Cave in a month. In the past 40 days we hardly had 200-300 on a single day Suting added.