SHILLONG: Japan has collaborated with the Meghalaya government for the much-awaited Shillong’s Cherry Blossom Festival this year.
This was announced by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma during a conclave with local tourism stakeholders on Wednesday. The autumn tourism calendar, featuring a series of events, was also unveiled during the event.
The capital city will be hosting the festival on November 15-16 at Ri-Bhoi’s Madan Kurkalang.
“As Japan will be the partner country for the Cherry Blossom Festival, it will have an exclusive stall at the festival venue showcasing its rich culture and heritage,” CM Sangma said.
Inspired by the striking resemblance between Meghalaya’s and Japan’s cherry blossoms, the Japanese Ambassador suggested a collaborative effort during his visit to the state last year. This laid the groundwork for the current partnership.
Expressing enthusiasm about the international collaboration, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said, “The partnership comes as a result of a suggestion made by the Japanese Ambassador when he visited the state last year. The Ambassador was reportedly impressed by the similarity of the cherry blossoms that are grown here with those of Japan and therefore wanted the two to collaborate.”
The chief minister also announced that the state government would appoint locals as ‘Tourist Assistants’ in a phased manner. These semi-uniformed personnel will serve as tour guides, provide security, and offer information to tourists.
The goal is to make tourists feel safe and ensure they receive accurate information, he said.
During the conclave, he also urged the stakeholders to provide suggestions for further developing the tourism ecosystem of the state.
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Other events in the autumn calendar include Shillong Literary Festival (November 12-14), Me’gong Festival (November 29-30), The Hills Festival(December 6-7), Bryan Adams India Tour(December 10) and Winter Tales (December 12-14).
These diverse cultural, literary, and musical events are designed to attract a wide audience and bolster the state’s tourism industry.
