Minister in-charge of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, Paul Lyngdoh said the department has adopted course correction measures to improve amenities at tourism sites across the state.
Talking to media, Lyngdoh said he had reviewed various tourism existing sites where amenities are found lacking.
Stating that a lot of proposals are being prepared in order to refurbish and improve these sites, the department will have another round of consultation with all stakeholders as a lot of these sites are not property of the Tourism Department, and that the government is only supporting the local communities.
“I already had a review meeting on various tourism existing sites where amenities are found lacking, we will take a course-correction measures. A lot of proposals are being prepared in order to refurbish and improve these sites and we will be having another round of consultation will be held with all stakeholders as a lot of these sites are not property of the Tourism Department, and that the government is only supporting the local communities,” Lyngdoh said.
“Lot of things will have to be put in place in order to help improve,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the opposition AITC has criticised the state Government for lacking proper amenities at tourism sites.
While citing an example of lack of coordination the Minister said, Arwah caves, the site is managed by the local community, and has hundreds of visitors daily, so amenities will crumble with this kind of footfall.
Meanwhile, the Minister also informed that the Meghalaya Government is in contact with Ministry of Tourism for development of Tourism circuits in the state.
Asserting that the options of availing external funding are being explored, he said, the department is also preparing DPRs to send to the Ministry for the inclusion of other tourism circuits across all the 12 Districts of the state under Swadesh Darshan scheme of the centre.