SHILLONG, Oct 12: Senior BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah MLA, AL Hek, on Tuesday called upon the people to raise their voice against the five to six per cent of Meghalaya’s populace who have been reportedly creating stumbling blocks to the growth of tourism in state.
Hek made this fervent appeal during the passing-out ceremony of the third batch of Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) tour guides in the city.
Elucidating the issue further, he said, “Tourism will create immense employment opportunities, be it urban rural or city tourism, but what is happening is we are suppressed by five to six per cent of people… because we are silent.”
“There are five to six per cent who create problems but we should ensure that we all live and let live, and make this place a better place to live in by promoting tourism,” he the legislator said.
Refusing to divulge details about who he was referring to, Hek appealed, “We have to raise our voice. I appeal that everyone stands up and raises voice to promote tourism which is one of the prime ways of generating revenue and employment.”
Pointing out that Meghalaya is already home to nature, music, food, adventure activities, et al, Hek said all that is now required is to devise ways to welcome tourists here.
“Discipline, punctuality and honesty are very important, and we also need to understand the taste of the tourists,” the former minister suggested.
Meanwhile, Director of Tourism, Cyril Diengdoh, pointed out that new places of tourist attraction are being discovered in the state every day.
Informing that efforts are under way to develop the new circuits, he said, “We, as a department, are trying so that tourism reaches the villages too.”
Echoing the BJP leader, Diengdoh said that as tourism is one of the most important sectors for Meghalaya, it should be preserved and promoted.
Stressing on the importance of having informed tour guides for tourism to flourish, he assured, “The state government will provide whatever support possible to IITTM and we hope more batches of tour guides pass out.”
All in all 18 tour guides passed on Tuesday after undergoing a three-month training on caves, adventure, topography, rural cuisines, wildlife, et al, in Meghalaya.
