SHILLONG, JULY 26: Tourism Operators Association of Meghalaya to write to the Minister incharge Tourism Paul Lyngdoh demanding a strong action against individuals trying to jeopardize the tourism industry in the state.
While condemning the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) for its decision to stop and sent back all tourists who plan to travel to different part of Sohra and Dawki, the various tourism associations of Meghalaya has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the incident.
It was noted that since the morning of 26 July members of the HNYF had stopped all tourist vehicles coming from outside the state at Umtyngar East Khasi Hills.
In this regard, various tourism organizations including Tourism Operators Association of Meghalaya, Federation Shillong Hotels, Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum, Tour Guide Operator Association of Meghalaya, Meghalaya Tourist Development Forum, Tour Guide Association of Meghalaya besides many others.
Speaking to media persons, president of Tourism Operators Association of Meghalaya Banlum Blah said that the association will write to the minister in-charge of tourism to brief about the unfortunate incident and to demand strong action against such individuals who try to jeopardize the tourism industry in the state.
Blah informed that after the unfortunate incidents, various tourism associations of Meghalaya had called for an emergency meeting to discuss on the incident.
“It was a surprise not only to the tourists but it was also a big surprise for us as for the first time we have heard that tourist are being stopped and sent back to their parent destinations” said Blah.
Blah claimed that it took years and years for all stakeholders in the state to build up the tourism footfall that the state is having at the moment.
He added that tourism sector is one of the biggest employment generators in Meghalaya which has benefited hundreds of youths especially now when tourism has spread even to rural areas of the state.
“Few years back, we had to woo tourists to visit Meghalaya. We have to tell them please and convince them to come to our state even though the infrastructure is not up to the mark” he added.
He added that the incident which happened at Umtyngar has come to a nod because what happened today has spread across the country and this has painted a bad picture for the state of Meghalaya.
“From all the tourism associations of Meghalaya, we want to apologize to all the tourists who have been affected today. From the tourism stakeholders side we appeal to all the tourists to come back to Meghalaya as such incidents will not happen again” he added.