Shillong, Sep 11: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) Khliehriat unit has taken up the issue of truant officials at the tourism office in East Jaintia Hills with the state government and demanded that a full-fledged tourist officer be named.
In a letter to Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh that was sent through Deputy Commissioner A Baranwal, the JNC Khliehriat circle general secretary Mebanteilang Sukhlain said, “Based on our inspection on the 31st of August, we discovered that the Tourism officer and the staff of the Tourist Officer and Information Centre were not present in the office and we also found that the Officer in-charge and their staff had been absent for a long period of time. Furthermore, we would like to address the urgent need to appoint a fully equipped and dedicated Tourism Officer to the Tourist Officer and Information Centre Department.”
East Jaintia Hills with its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and renowned landmarks has great potential as a tourist destination.
“However, our region’s tourism industry has been severely impacted due to the absence of a Tourism Officer. We are witnessing missed opportunities for growth, inadequate tourist assistance, and a lack of promotional activities to attract visitors. This situation cannot be overlooked, as it directly affects the economic and social well-being of our community, ” Sukhlain said.
JNC urged the minister to take “immediate and appropriate action” to address this pressing issue by appointing a qualified, enthusiastic and committed Tourism Officer for the region.
“The Officer should possess a deep understanding of our local attractions, cultural dynamics and the potential impact of tourism on our community’s well-being. Their presence will not only elevate the visitors’ experience but also act as a catalyst for sustainable tourism development, thereby, benefitting the local economy and fostering community growth,” said the general secretary.
