By Amit Dixit
On the sidelines of the first Green Tourism India Conclave, an event organized by Indian Express Online Media to promote responsible tourism in the Northeast and beyond, and held in Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong, on October 19, 2023, Bah Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, talked about how he is promoting Responsible Tourism practices in the state.
Emphasising the USPs of Meghalaya, he said that the state is known for its lush greenery, friendly residents, ease of communication with tourists, and so on. After all, tourists have been visiting Meghalaya for decades and tourism is well developed here. Speaking about the various kinds of tourism products that the Government of Meghalaya is focussing on, he said that they have identified several categories of tourists. “We would like to focus more on high-end tourism, which is less detrimental to the ecosystem” he told Indian Express Online Media. “We are also focussing on the arts and culture where we are very strong. Adventure sports and adventure tourism are also on the agenda,” he added.
Meghalaya is developing several new tourist circuits to encourage travellers to stay longer and explore new destinations in the state. In the interview, Bah Lyngdoh also shared information about the Shillong ropeway project. “We are immediately launching the Shillong ropeway project. It is modelled on European standards and will be the best of its kind in the region,” he said. JVs for the various units of the Department of Tourism, like hotels and resorts, are also on the anvil, to encourage professional handling of these assets, the Hon’ble Minister added.
Bah Lyngdoh also emphasised the importance of sustainable tourism. “In order to protect eco-fragile zones, we are coming up with a special legislation, so they don’t fall prey to the indiscriminate footfalls of tourists. Once they are mapped, any industrial activity in the area will also be prohibited,” he said.
The Hon’ble Minister also praised Indian Express Online Media’s Green Tourism India Conclave initiative. “It’s a wonderful concept. We believe tourism cannot be successful if we are to ideate in isolation, which is why such a Conclave is important. We believe in a synergy of efforts,” he said.
Talking about his key takeaways from the Green Tourism India Conclave 2023, Bah Lyngdoh said, “I could see that there is a growing interest in Meghalaya as a tourism destination. The other states of the region being part of the conclave is good. We can all join hands and collaborate in a number of ways.”
