SHILLONG, May 30: Hoteliers and the tourism sector in Meghalaya are anticipating a significant increase in tourist arrivals this year, with projections reaching up to 1.5 million visitors.
Parambir Singh Sehdave, President of the Federation of Shillong Hotels, told The Shillong Times that last year saw approximately 1.2 million tourists visiting Meghalaya. This year, the number is expected to rise to between 1.3 and 1.5 million.
The tourist season, currently in full swing, will continue until July. A visit to Police Bazar on Thursday revealed the area bustling with tourists from across the country, not just from nearby Assam and West Bengal, but also from distant states.
However, the influx has brought some challenges. Middlemen facilitating tourist taxis, especially at Khyndai Lad, have become a persistent nuisance, causing unnecessary hassles for visitors. Additionally, the heavy tourist presence makes casual strolls in Police Bazar uncomfortable due to the space being heavily occupied by hawkers.
The state government has plans to relocate the hawkers to create more pedestrian space, but no concrete action has been taken yet.
As the tourist season progresses, the hospitality sector remains optimistic about the increased flow of visitors, despite the logistical challenges that come with it.
