Eyeing boost in tourism, M’laya to rope in locals as ‘Tourist Assistants’

SHILLONG, Aug 14: With Meghalaya’s tourism sector taking a recent and momentary hit following the “harassment” of Sohra and Dawki-bound tourists, the state government has decided to rope in locals as ‘Tourist Assistants’ to provide not only security but also guidance and information to the visitors, thereby enhancing their overall experience and safety.
This was announced by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma during a one-day Tourism Stakeholders’ Meet at the State Convention Centre here on Wednesday.
People from various sectors and remote regions of the state conglomerated for the meeting to air their concerns.
The meeting, aimed at refining Meghalaya’s tourism policy and infrastructure, brought to light several key issues and potential solutions.
During the meeting, the stakeholders at various levels raised significant issues, one of which included reworking the state’s tourism policy by involving local stakeholders.
The other issues that were raised were the need for basic amenities such as proper road connectivity, availability of adequate electricity and water throughout the year, and maintenance of law and law and order.
Another important point that was noted during the conclave was that the state government should work hand in hand with traditional institutions for the implementation of rural tourism projects and attention should be given to the problem that comes with uncontrolled inflow of mass tourism, carrying capacity and waste management.
The stakeholders also stressed the need to expand tourism to other parts of the state such as West, South West Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills.
It was also suggested that the dorbar shnongs should be given control to ensure professional management is implemented at various rural tourist destinations.
After giving ear to all the grievances and the recommendations of the stakeholders, the chief minister acknowledged the need to rework Meghalaya’s tourism policy by involving local stakeholders more actively in the decision-making process.
Conrad also addressed the critical challenges faced by the tourism sector, particularly the recurring issues of power outages, inadequate mobile connectivity and infrastructure deficits.
He assured the stakeholders that these problems would be addressed in a phased manner, emphasising that basic facilities such as roads, electricity and water should be available year-round to support tourism growth.
Responding to the need for proper maintenance of government-created assets to ensure they remain functional and beneficial to the community, the chief minister pointed out that law and order is a top priority for the state government, especially in light of recent incidents involving ‘harassment’ of tourists.
Conrad then announced a new initiative to appoint locals as ‘Tourist Assistants’, who, he added, would serve as semi-uniformed personnel, providing guidance, security and information to visitors, thereby enhancing their experience and safety.
The chief minister also stressed the need for the state government to work closely with traditional institutions in the implementation of rural tourism projects. He called for a collaborative approach where dorbar shnongs are empowered to manage and oversee professional operations at various rural tourist destinations.
Addressing the challenges that come with tourism, Conrad highlighted the need to manage the uncontrolled inflow of mass tourism, considering the carrying capacity of destinations, and ensuring effective waste management practices.
He also emphasised the importance of expanding tourism to other parts of the state, including West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills, to distribute the economic benefits more evenly and reduce pressure on popular destinations.
Urging stakeholders to continue providing valuable suggestions to further develop the state’s tourism ecosystem, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to not only increasing tourist footfall but also creating unique experiences that highlight Meghalaya’s cultural and natural beauty, while maintaining a sustainable and responsible approach to tourism development.
On the occasion, the chief minister and Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh also unveiled the much-anticipated autumn tourism calendar.
Key events include the Shillong Literary Festival from November 12-14, Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival from November 15-16, and Bryan Adams India Tour on December 10.
Additionally, it was announced that Japan will be the official partner country for the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, with a dedicated Japan Zone to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage.