SHILLONG, Jan 9: The tourist footfall in Meghalaya is expected to touch 15 lakh by 2024 though lack of infrastructure may play a spanner as the shortage of quality accommodation units, particularly in rural areas, remains a matter of concern.
The state government is on a drive to woo tourists with ‘Homestay Scheme’ in convergence with the Prime Minister Employment Generation Scheme (PMEGP) for opening employment opportunities through developing tourist infrastructures.
Plans are afoot to build homestays, restaurants and crafts emporiums to attract tourists.
The government aims to construct 2,500 additional quality accommodation units in Meghalaya over the next five years. ‘Tourism through Cooperatives’ is being implemented at the village level to promote tourism in the rural areas of Meghalaya through cooperative societies.
Through the initiative called ‘Tourism through Cooperatives’, the government is focussing on accommodation units called ‘Travelers Nest’ and other associated infrastructure such as markets across select villages with high tourism potential.
At present, there are 36 such projects which are all run and managed by primary cooperative societies across villages.
Tourism in Meghalaya is currently concentrated along the Umiam-Shillong-Sohra-Dawki axis and these regions receive over 90 per cent of the tourist footfall. Since Meghalaya is among the most bio-diverse regions in the world with fragile ecology, adequate planning is required to create new circuits.
According to sources privy to the development, state government has made master plans and several projects are in pipeline for West Garo Hills, Nokrek, Jakrem, Umngot, Sohra, Mawryngkneng, Khatarshnong, Mylliem, Pynursla and Mawsynram.
At present, Meghalaya is witnessing a high influx of tourists, increasing at a rate of 50,000 tourists every year, which has resulted in stress on already-saturated transport systems.
One of the heavily congested routes is Guwahati-Shillong- Sohra route.
One of the reasons causing the snarl is share-riding mode availed by 64 per cent tourists, who travel by taxi during trips, which require more road space. It leads to congestion and needs additional parking spaces at tourist destinations.
To cater to the growing demand of tourists, the state requires proper transport system.
Sources in the Tourism department have said that the government is setting up tourist circuits with air-conditioned electric buses connecting major tourist destinations.
