SHILLONG, Dec 4: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday laid the foundation for the Aurika Hotel by Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd., which will be the state’s third five-star property. The hotel, to be developed through the PPP model, will have 130 rooms and is set to be constructed at a cost of 124 crore.
Speaking during the event at the Orchid Hotel site in Polo, Sangma highlighted the significance of the project, calling it the largest PPP initiative in the state. He said the redevelopment of the existing Orchid Hotel into the Aurika Hotel will boost tourism, drive economic growth, and create employment opportunities for the youth.
According to him, investments in the tourism sector are expected to generate more than one lakh jobs in the state.
As part of the agreement, Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. will pay Rs 5 crore as a down payment to the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), along with an annual lease rental of Rs 2.05 crore and a 1% share of the hotel’s gross revenue. The CM underlined that this financial model will provide MTDC with a steady revenue stream without requiring government investment.
The luxury hotel will include banquet halls and other facilities to attract large-scale meetings, incentives, conferences, and MICE tourism. The CM noted that Shillong has become a destination for major conferences and meetings, and this new infrastructure will further enhance the city’s capacity to host such events.
The CM also requested Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. to consider naming the hotel Aurika Orchid Hotel to retain the connection to the beloved Orchid name.
In his address, the CM reiterated the importance of creating a robust tourism ecosystem in Meghalaya, focusing on the larger picture beyond individual projects or events. He also mentioned the government’s ongoing efforts to expand the Shillong Airport runway to accommodate direct flights from major Indian cities, calling it a game-changer for the state’s tourism and economy.
The CM urged stakeholders and society to act responsibly to support the tourism sector, emphasising its sensitivity and the collective role required to ensure its growth.
