Hospitality key to promotion of tourism, says Agatha

TURA, Sep 28: Dwelling at length on Atithi Devo Bhava or ‘Guest is Akin to God’, Member of Parliament Agatha K Sangma has stated that hospitality is the key to promote tourism.
The Tura MP said this in her address as the chief guest during a one-day workshop on ‘Homestays’ under the theme ‘Rethinking Tourism’ in Tura on Tuesday.
The programme, which was organised by Meghalaya Tourism in collaboration with the Outlook Responsible Tourism Future Forum, was also attended by government officials.
Agatha, in her address, said that the MDA government has is keenly interested in promoting tourism in the state.
Urging the homestay runners to not lose diversity of species in the name of promoting tourism, she stressed on the need to have a mechanism to prevent species from being destroyed.
She also declared the river rafting tourism of Ja.riponchi Tourism Society of Nongalbibra open.
Director of Tourism CVD Diengdoh, while speaking at length on the importance of homestays, informed that Rs 750 crore has been approved by the Centre for Meghalaya Tourism Infrastructure Development.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Tembe, who was part of the programme, said that the tourism potential of Garo Hills is yet to be tapped and Meghalaya, as rural agrarian economy, makes excellent model for rural and eco-tourism.
He also informed that for promotion of local wine and beverages like ‘Bitchi’ or rice beer, two licenses have been issued to the local wine makers under the new excise rules.
During the day-long workshop, Jaideep Bansal and his team members from Global Himalayan Expedition, enlightened the local homestay runners on ‘Technology, Sustainability and Homestays’ while Sumesh Mangalasseri from Kabani Community Tourism and Services, Kerala, deliberated on ‘The business of running homestays’.
Board Member and India Country Representative of Global Sustainable Tourism Council CB Ramkumar, on the other hand, spoke at length on ‘Global standards, local spirit, sustainable business and tourism advantages and risks’.