SHILLONG, Aug 14: Contrary to Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh’s assertion that tourism in Meghalaya has returned to normalcy, several stakeholders on Wednesday expressed concerns about ongoing challenges following recent disturbances where members of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) reportedly stopped Assam-registered cars from travelling to Sohra and Dawki, forcing them to turn back. This incident had raised doubts about the safety and stability of tourism in the region.
During a tourism conclave held in the city on Wednesday, multiple stakeholders voiced their disagreement with the minister’s statement, to this reporter.
While acknowledging that the situation has improved compared to previous weeks, they argued that it is still far from normal.
“We still receive calls from potential tourists inquiring whether it is safe to travel to Sohra,” one of the stakeholders said.
The impact of the recent unrest is still being felt. This reporter also learnt that several tourists who were staying at a well-known hotel in Shillong cut their trips short due to safety concerns over travelling to Sohra after hearing about the incident.
This is not an isolated case, as similar stories have surfaced across the region.
Parambir Singh Sehdave, President of the Federation of Hoteliers of Shillong, pointed out that the occupancy rates in the city’s market areas are between 80-90 per cent, but other areas are struggling with poor occupancy. “Considering the upcoming Independence Day and the following weekend, bookings should have been full, but that’s not the case,” Sehdave noted.
When asked by The Shillong Times about the steps taken to restore tourism to normalcy and ensure the safety of tourists, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “What happened was unfortunate,” he said.
“One major step we took was to organise today’s conclave, allowing various stakeholders to express their concerns, not just about law and order but also about the broader challenges facing the tourism sector. The government is committed to supporting and enabling stakeholders to develop this sector to its maximum potential.”
