Shillong, Feb 22: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today informed the State Assembly that the government was keen to facilitate more Five Star category hotels in Meghalaya as the combined capacity of 300 rooms presently available with the existing two Five Star category hotels in the state — Taj Vivanta and Courtyard by Marriott—were sometimes not sufficient while hosting bigger and important events.
The chief minister further informed that the Government was promoting around 500 homestays in the state and funds have been earmarked under CM Connect for entrepreneurs to build tourist villas.
Sangma said that the Government had spent around Rs 62 Lakhs for holding recent G 20 summit in Hotel Courtyard by Marriott in Shillong.
In fact, the state government has conducted 23 programmes in the existing two five-star category hotels in the state since their inauguration and spent Rs 2,14, 96, 000 crore for the purpose.
Defending the decision to hold programmes in luxurious hotels, Conrad Sangma said some important programmes were required to be held in these five star hotels to provide proper comfort and services to the delegates.
He also pointed out that other facilities like State Convention Centre, Hotel Pinewood and State Central Library are also used for holding Government programmes.
The CM was responding to a query raised by legislator Banteidor Lyngdoh who inquired if these programmes were required to be held in these luxurious hotels when facilities like Hotel Pinewood, State Central Library etc., were already available.
Gambegre MLA Saleng Sangma during the question hour also pointed out that the Government should promote local entrepreneurs and local hotels, Chief Minister made it clear that the Government will go for more five star hotels as accommodation available in these two hotels with combined capacity of just 300 is not enough.