SHILLONG: Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy on Friday said that the future of Northeastern region lies in the tourism and hospitality sector and all the states in the region must make tourism sector a top priority.
Speaking at the NE Travel Conclave in the city, the governor further urged the government to allocate land for hotels to come up on the outskirts of the city as tourists would prefer to spend time with the nature and far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Roy added that Shillong must have better road and air connectivity in its bid to emerge as a favourite tourist destination.
The Assistant High Commissioner, High Commission of Bangladesh, Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, who also participated in the programme stressed the need for developing a partnership among the stakeholders in the tourism department and the tour operators between Meghalaya and Assam. He added that only through proper partnership and Innovative ideas, the flow of tourist would increase in the North East.
Admiring the beauty of Meghalaya, he said that Northeastern states are serving as a destination for tourists who are in search of natural beauty, but it also has the potential for religious and cultural tourism.
The conclave organised by the Indian Council of Commerce in association with the Incredible India served as a forum for the discussion to improve and increase the flow of foreign tourists to the North East with a special emphasis on cross border tourism with Bangladesh. The conclave also discussed about various steps which need to be taken to improve tourism in the region, apart from making Shillong city more tourist friendly. Other issues discussed include creating more luxurious hotels, attracting foreign travellers, improving night life, tourist police assisting tourists, well trained tourists guides and money exchange outlets.
