SHILLONG: With an aim to tap the potential of the State as a tourist destination, the Government is trying to support potential entrepreneurs to take up tourism as a means to sustainable livelihood.
Stating that the tourism sector provides opportunities to budding entrepreneurs to become job providers instead of job seekers, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said, “The Government has structured the Tourism Policy in a manner that would promote investment in tourism. The Policy is designed to especially support those potential entrepreneurs who see the sector as a means to sustainable livelihood.”
Sangma was addressing a gathering during the inauguration of the Keanean Guest House, a rural tourism project initiated by the Lady Keane College, Shillong, at Mawphlang, a village famous for its Sacred Groves.
The Chief Minister observed that tourism is one sector that can provide employment opportunities to over 50 per cent of the population of the State.
Sangma drew special attention to the need to identify and structure “exclusive and unique” business ventures in the field of tourism so as to attract a larger lot of visitors from across the globe.
“Today, tourists travelling across the world look at products that are exclusive and unique. Therefore, we need to create such products which give tourists a reason to come to Meghalaya,” Sangma said adding that the rich culture, music and way of life besides nature’s gift of scenic beauty need to be put together and structured in a way that they become products of demand for tourists. He also informed that under the investment strategy, the state government will provide Rs 6 lakh for setting up of eco-resorts and accommodation facilities.
Earlier, the Lady Keane College Principal, Dr. C Massar informed that the Keanean Guest House is part of the college’s pilot project designed sticking to the most basic of requirements for the leisure seeking tourist.
She said the aim of the project is also to move beyond the campus and make good entrepreneurs out of students.
