Tourism promoters not to be silent spectators; meet Conrad & Paul
Fall out of July 26 incident of driving away tourists
Shillong, Aug 1: The tourism promoters have asserted in their letters to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and and Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh that they will no longer remain the silent spectators of disturbances and lawlessness created by NGOs in the state which shall affect the movement, intimidation and security of tourists and consequently affect our livelihoods.
“We shall in turn express our resentment in the future. We urge the government to ensure that law and order is maintained in the entire state which is vital for the growth of tourism in Meghalaya.
They also met both the chief minister and the tourism minister separately.
Full text of the letter
Shri Conrad K Sangma
Honorable Chief Minister of Meghalaya
Shillong
Subject:Memorandum from Rural Stakeholders of Khasi and Jaintia Hills
Respected Sir,
An urgent meeting was called by the Stakeholders of Khasi and Jaintia Hills Region on the morning of 27th July 2024 hosted by the Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum after the most unfortunate incident that happened in the morning of the 26th July 2024 at Umtyngar where dozens of tourist taxis from Assam ferrying tourists were being stopped illegally by so called NGOs and forced to return back. All the stakeholders who attended the above urgent meeting consisting of homestay owners, small retailers, guides and Rangbah Shnongs of communities have expressed their strong condemnation and anger at this act by so called NGOs which has affected their livelihood and investment in the tourism industry and the arduous work they have nurtured through the last ten years or so.
For your information, the above incident has created a loss of 30% of the accommodation bookings apart from revenue generated by indirect stakeholders apart from the fact that we expect more cancellation of tours and activities in the near future as news of this incident is currently spreading across the country.
The meeting by various stakeholders mentioned have taken the following resolution:
- We shall no longer remain the silent spectators of disturbances and lawlessness created by NGOs in the State which shall affect the movement, intimidation and security of tourists and consequently affect our livelihoods, but we shall in turn express our resentment in the future. We urge the Government to ensure that Law and order is maintained in the entire state which is vital for the growth of Tourism in Meghalaya
- We suggest that another way of partly solving the tourist taxi issue between the two states is to request the Airports Authority of India to expedite and vet for the introduction of midsize aircrafts (a smentioned by the Meghalaya High Court recently) that would connect Shillong airport with all the major cities of India like Kolkata, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chennai.
- We would also like to see the introduction of more daily flights (including Sundays) from Shillong airport that would synchronise with onward journeys.
- A shuttle bus from Shillong Airport to Shillong City and Sohra.
- Introduction of a police outpost at Umtyngar and Mobile Tourist Police Bikes all along the routes from Sohra & Dawki to Umtyngar to instil a sense of safety to travellers. This act if done on an urgent basis can send positive signals to the tourists planning to visit the State during the next coming festival season.
We sincerely hope that you shall give a positive and attentive consideration to our grievances as stakeholders of the tourism industry of the Region.
Copy to:
Bah Paul Lyngdoh, Honourable Tourism Minister, Govt of Meghalaya
Mr Alan West Mr Aiban S Mawkhroh
PresidentGeneral Secretary
Ph: 98561 31945Ph: 94361 02234
Members Present in the Meeting:
- Tour Operators of Meghalaya
- Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya
- Rangbah Shnong of Khliehshnong Sohra
- Sohra Region Tourism Association
- Dolloi of Darrang
- Rangbah Shnong Mawlynnong
- Rangbah Shnong of Umsyiem
- Rangbah Shnong Maraikaphon Sohra
- Sirdar Mawsmai Sohra
- Rangbah Shnong Pdengshnong Sohra
- Rangbah Shnong Shnongpdeng
- Darrang Tourism Development Society
- Green Hills Tourism Society Mawkyrwat
- Jaintia Hills Environment and Tourism Society
- Sirdar Mawmluh
