New Delhi, April 02: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today called on Union Minister of State Tourism K. J. Alphons along with State Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh at his office in New Delhi and sought his intervention to initiate “destination tourism” projects in the state.
The Chief Minister discussed on development of tourism infrastructure and amenities in different tourist locations with particular focus on Sohra, Umiam and eco-tourism destination of Nokrek and Balpakram.
“We have to build tourism around Unique Selling Points (USPs) of the region and the focus of the Government will be to balance tourism potential of the State in sync with creating avenues for the farming community as well as youth to take entrepreneurial activities,” said the Chief Minister.
The Union Minister suggested the Chief Minister to also work on possibilities to promote luxury tourism in State harping on its rich potentials. “Meghalaya is a priority State for the Ministry of Tourism and we are going to extend all possible help to boost tourism.I would personally take up the issue of road connectivity in Meghalaya with Union Transport Minister for his personal intervention,” said Alphons in his conversation with the Chief Minister.
Mr Alphons also briefed the Chief Minister that 12 different locations has been identified in Northeast to promote destination tourism including Sohra, where caving will the focus area of concern.
“We want to develop the cave network of Meghalaya and make it a major attraction for the tourist,” Alphons added. Alphons also assured the Chief Minister that all pending tourism projects of the State would be accorded thrust and would be implemented in right earnest.
