By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 5: After months of slowdown, Meghalaya’s tourism sector is witnessing a remarkable revival this festive season, with visitor numbers increasing manifold. The surge in tourist arrivals is expected to continue until January next year.
The state’s tourism industry has faced a series of setbacks in recent months — from strikes by tourist taxi drivers to landslides and floods in neighbouring states, and even the shocking murder of tour operator Raja Raghuvanshi by his wife. Despite these challenges, the sector now appears firmly back on track.
Parambir Singh Sehdave, president of the Federation of Shillong Hotels, said the tourist flow has been “quite impressive,” with hotel occupancy touching 100 percent during the Durga Puja festivities.
A visit to Police Bazar also revealed packed hotels and bustling restaurants filled with visitors.
“Currently, the occupancy rate stands at around 80 per cent, and we expect this trend to continue till January,” Sehdave added.
With a host of annual festivals lined up over the next three months, Meghalaya’s tourism industry seems poised for a strong season. Stakeholders, however, hope that no further disruptions will hamper the experience of tourists eager to enjoy their holidays in the state.
