Shillong: Congress MLA Saleng Sangma has expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the current approach to promoting tourism in Garo Hills, Meghalaya.
He stated that relying solely on one-off events is inadequate for establishing Garo Hills as a long-term tourist destination.
Sangma’s remarks come amidst a recent increase in tourist footfall at specific locations like Wari Chora in Garo Hills.
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However, he highlights the persistent disparity in tourist numbers compared to the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.
The MLA criticizes the lack of a comprehensive tourism development strategy for Garo Hills, pointing out that limited tourism projects have been sanctioned despite some developmental initiatives.
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While acknowledging government schemes, he expresses concerns about individuals taking on substantial debt to build homestays due to the region’s low tourist influx.
“Organizing one or two events won’t significantly promote tourism in Garo Hills in the long run,” Sangma emphasizes.
He urges the government to prioritize supporting local entrepreneurs rather than incurring significant expenses on events held in five-star hotels.
This statement follows reports indicating that the state government spent Rs 2.13 crore hosting events in Meghalaya’s two five-star hotels.
While defending this decision, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma emphasized the need for such venues to accommodate certain important programs and provide proper amenities for delegates.
He also mentioned the government’s initiatives to promote around 500 homestays and allocate funds for entrepreneurs to build tourist villas through the CM Connect program.