SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government will host a two-day tourism conclave to provide a platform for key stakeholders to voice their concerns hindering the growth of the tourism sector in the state.
The conclave assumes significance as stakeholders were angered by the incident on July 26 where members of a pressure group stopped numerous Assam-registered vehicles at the Umtyngar junction from travelling to tourist destinations in Sohra and Dawki.
The conclave will be held on August 6 and 7.
Speaking to reporters, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said, “I will chair the inaugural session and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will attend the programme on the second day.”
Lyngdoh said that the government will invite all stakeholders of the tourism industry.
“We will invite all stakeholders in the tourism industry from transporters, hoteliers, resort owners to the guides at the local level and the Dorbar Shnongs, especially the localities and villages recording huge tourist footfalls,” he said.
Lyngdoh stated that the rising influx of tourists has led to a surge in demand for commercial vehicles within the state.
Earlier, fifteen organizations and traditional bodies united under the Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum had pledged to oppose pressure groups that have harmed the tourism industry by intimidating, restricting the movement, and threatening tourists.
