The Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum and tourism stakeholders from the Khasi Jaintia Hills have urged the state government to maintain law and order and peace while emphasizing its importance for the tourism sector.
Meeting Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh the forum said, “We shall no longer remain the silent spectators of disturbances and lawlessness created by NGOs in the State which shall affect the movement, intimidation and security of tourists and consequently affect our livelihoods, but we shall in turn express our resentment in the future. We urge the Government to ensure that Law and order is maintained in the entire state which is vital for the growth of Tourism in Meghalaya.”
Asked, Alan West, President of the forum said, “The sporadic instances of law and order which including throwing petrol bomb or chasing tourists half way has hampered Meghalaya tourism.”
West, said “Umtyngar incident has created a loss of 30% of the accommodation bookings apart from revenue generated by indirect stakeholders apart from the fact that more cancellation of tours and activities are expected in the near future as news of this incident is currently spreading across the country. “
Expressing their grievances, the Forum also suggested to the state Government introduction of a police outpost at Umtyngar and Mobile Tourist Police Bikes all along the routes from Sohra & Dawki to Umtyngar to instil a sense of safety to travellers.
“This act if done on an urgent basis can send positive signals to the tourists planning to visit the State during the next coming Festival season,” Forum said.
Beside this, the Tour promoters also suggest, “A shuttle bus from Shillong Airport to Shillong City and Sohra.”
They further said, “We suggest that another way of partly solving the tourist taxi issue between the two states is to request the Airports Authority of India to expedite and vet for the introduction of midsize aircrafts (as mentioned by the Meghalaya High Court recently) that would connect Shillong airport with all the major cities of India like Kolkata, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chennai.”
“We would also like to see the introduction of more daily flights (including Sundays) from Shillong airport that would synchronise with onward journeys,” they added.
It may be mentioned that those present in the meeting include Tour Operators of Meghalaya, Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya, Rangbah Shnong of Khliehshnong Sohra, Sohra Region Tourism Association, Dolloi of Darrang, Rangbah Shnong Mawlynnong, Rangbah Shnong of Umsyiem, Rangbah Shnong Maraikaphon Sohra, Sirdar Mawsmai Sohra, Rangbah Shnong Pdengshnong Sohra, Rangbah Shnong Shnongpdeng, Darrang Tourism Development Society, Green Hills Tourism Society Mawkyrwat, Jaintia Hills Environment and Tourism Society, Sirdar Mawmluh