In his interaction with FinancialExpress.com, E. Banlumlang Blah, President, North East India Tourism Confederation (NEITC), President, Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya (TOAM) and Vice-President, Federation of Shillong Hotels (FOSH), mentioned how he was one of the first people to open a guesthouse in Shillong in 2001. His full-service tour and travel firm, Clara Tours, offers trips across Northeast India.
As for adventure tourism, although adventure tourism activities existed in a modest form in Meghalaya, in recent times it has come up in a big way in the state, he said. The first bungee jumping site in the Northeast is also in Meghalaya. However, a lot still needs to be done to grow the industry in the state, he said.
Another important point Mr Blah made was about how some adventure activities require a lot of specialised equipment. Some support from the government or from corporates in this regard would be welcome, he mentioned.
He was full of praise for the Adventure Tourism Meet in Shillong. He hoped that it would lead to lots of awareness about adventure tourism in Meghalaya since young people—the future of tourism—may not be aware about all aspects. The Meet also raised awareness about new kinds of adventure activities which tourism entrepreneurs can take up, he said.
Adventure tourism can contribute in a big way in the this part of the country, and Meghalaya in particular, he said.
Adventure tourism can contribute towards the economy of the state and can become a new growth area for tourism in the state, Mr Blah concluded.
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