By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 5: Meghalaya aims to have at least 10 five-star hotels within five years to boost tourism infrastructure and attract higher-spending visitors.
Tourism Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar D. told delegates from the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) on Friday that the state had no five-star hotels five years ago but now has two operational properties, four under construction and four in the bidding stage. “If everything goes according to plan, we should have at least 10 five-star hotels in the next five years,” he said, adding that the Lemon Tree Orica hotel is expected to be completed next year.
Kumar outlined the state’s tourism roadmap, focusing on infrastructure, homestays and experiential tourism. Meghalaya’s average tourist stay is currently 1.8 days; the government’s target is to increase this to five days by developing new products and deeper visitor engagement. The state is offering a 70 percent subsidy for homestays to promote community-based tourism and local incomes.
Plans include developing wine tourism, cave tourism, village and rural tourism. A wine experiential centre will be set up opposite Ward’s Lake to showcase Meghalaya’s fruit wines, and authorities are working to develop an accessible show cave.
Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira said tour operators have been vital in promoting Meghalaya and supporting livelihoods. He said the government provided about Rs 3.62 crore over the last three years to tour operators and stakeholders for travel marts and promotional events, and grants of Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh support community festivals. New sectors being promoted include wine, adventure and culinary tourism.
The programme was attended by IATO President Ravi Gosain, Senior Vice-President Rajnish Kaistha, Honorary Secretary Sunil Mishra and Meghalaya state in-charge Eusebius Banlumlang Blah.
