Darjeeling’s loss is Shillong’s gain

Despite snail-paced development of tourism infrastructure here, there has been a steady increase of domestic tourists in the state. State Tourism Officer Dafy Syiem said that last year, 4,57,685 domestic and 5,267 foreign tourists visited Meghalaya. In 2006, domestic tourists numbered 4,00,287, and foreign tourists 4,259.

Syiem said the figure of domestic tourists would increase this year as most of the Darjeeling-bound tourists are coming to Meghalaya because of the Gorkhaland movement.

The state Tourism Department has instituted the ‘Bed and Breakfast’ concept to overcome the shortage of hotel rooms. Under the scheme, local residents will be encouraged to rent out rooms and, if necessary, provide food — preferably the local dishes — to tourists staying with them.

With 800-plus rooms available in the city hotels, the state Government felt that the concept of ‘Bed and Breakfast’ would work well, as the locals would not only be directly involved in promotion of tourism but would also receive additional income.

Realising that tourism can be a major revenue-generating industry, the state Government is trying to lure both domestic as well as “dollars tourists” to the state. Eyeing tourists from the neighbouring country of Bangladesh, the Government is working out a plan to start a bus service from Dawki (near the Bangladeshi border) to Shillong.

The Meghalaya Government is also laying emphasis on private-public participation in the promotion of tourism in the state. With the active support of the Government, the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) has been organising a number of tourism events like Autumn Festival, Winter Festival in Garo Hills, Beach Festival and musical events.

Last year, the tourism department hosted a ‘Invitation Golf Tournament’ that involved around 100 chief executive officers (CEOs) and senior managers of private sector enterprises to not only boost tourism but also to attract investment in the state.

Meghalaya Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee said that the state would also focus on the promotion of health tourism: “People, especially from Bangladesh, can benefit from this as they are our nearest neighbours,” he explained.

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