Meghalaya tourism director Cyril Darlong Diengdoh is optimistic that 20 lakh tourists would visit the state annually by 2028. During a presentation at the International Tourism Mart held in Shillong recently, Diengdoh shared projections for the state's tourism industry. Anticipating substantial growth, he highlighted that the industry, valued at Rs 1,600 crore in 2022, is expected to reach Rs 12,000 crore by then. He attributed the growth to the surge in visitor footfalls.
Cyril emphasised the government's efforts to encourage investments in tourism-related ventures are playing a pivotal role in giving a boost to the industry. From next year, he explained that the state was targeting a 10% annual expansion. Over the past decade, Meghalaya has witnessed a remarkable rise in tourist arrivals, doubling from nearly 7 lakh in 2013 to 12.7 lakh in 2023.
Domestic tourists, predominantly from Assam (43%) and West Bengal (14%), accounted for 9.38 lakh of the total visitors. International tourists numbered around 10,000, with Bangladesh contributing 79% to the segment. Diengdoh acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing a significant decline in tourist numbers in 2020 and 2021, with less than 2 lakh visitors arriving during the period.
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Union Tourism Secretary V Vidyavathi highlighted the ecological sensitivity of the Northeast region and stressed on the importance of responsible tourism, mindful of the region's carrying capacity. She stressed that rural communities were integral to the ecosystem and cautioned against treating them as museums. Vidyavathi expressed the central government's commitment to introducing more vista-dome trains in the Northeast, enhancing tourists' enjoyment of the region's scenic beauty.
Highlighting the diverse facets of tourism, she said that Meghalaya's cuisine, handicrafts, culture, traditions, festivals, and spiritual experiences are unique. Vidyavathi applauded the active involvement of rural communities in bolstering tourism, acknowledging them as essential stakeholders in the sector.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
First Published: Nov 26, 2023 9:54 AM IST
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