Scheme to cover 500 villages in state
Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday announced that the New Development Bank has sanctioned Rs 700 crore for development of rural tourism in the state.
Around 500 villages will be covered under the development initiative to create infrastructure and amenities such as lodges and eateries for tourists, he added.
The chief minister was speaking at the inauguration of Ribbit Lake Resort on the occasion of ‘Spring Festival 2020-Lake Side Fiesta’, at Langkawet, Pynursla Sub-Division.
“The tourism sector is one the government feels is going to be a game changer for the economy of the state. The kind of potential that we have in the yet unexplored areas, the cultural beauty, the hospitality of our people and the different kinds of local cuisines are what we need to market to the world”, Sangma said adding that the objective and policy of the government has always been to preserve the culture and natural beauty and create high value tourism to leverage the economy and create livelihood for the people. Local youths will be given essential training to equip them with necessary skill sets for employment in the tourism sector, he said adding that ultimately goal of developing tourism is for the benefit of the local people. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also attended the function, said that tourism sector presently contributes roughly 30 per cent to the state’s revenue and called on all stakeholders to create a conducive environment to attract tourists to the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also attended the function, said that tourism sector presently contributes roughly 30 per cent to the state’s revenue and called on all stakeholders to create a conducive environment to attract tourists to the state.
Speaking at length about the newly-inaugurated project, tourism director said that with additional infrastructure such as solar panels for lighting and power generation the resort can become a unique example for sustainable and responsible tourism.