32 new luxury suites open at Hotels Polo Orchid Resort
Shillong, Nov 22: Fast creation of new tourism infrastructure is testimony to visitors getting a conducive environment in the state, said chief minister Conrad Sangma on Thursday.
The chief minister in presence of tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh inaugurated the newly built Mawsmai Banquet Hall and 32 luxury suites of Hotel Polo Orchid Resort at Sohra in East Khasi Hills.
“Few years back, Meghalaya’s economy was roughly at 4.7 billion US dollars. In the past five years, we have been able to double the number, and our growth rate is about 10.5 percent. There is huge investment in tourism sector, and we expect to touch 10 billion US dollars economy by 2028,” he added.
The expansion of the premier property was initiated to cater to the growing inflow of tourists to Sohra. The new property overlooks the famed Mawsmai waterfall.
Inaugurating the luxury suites and the banquet hall, chief minister Conrad K. Sangma lauded Polo Towers Group for including high end luxury suites at Orchid Resort Sohra. “The creation of new tourism infrastructure by different stakeholders in the state, only goes to prove that tourism is growing leaps and bounds, and is providing a conducive environment for the visitors,” the chief minister said.
Lauding chairman of Polo Towers Group for its initiative, the chief minister said, “The intervention is not only enabling improved tourism amenities but shows collaborative approach between community, government and the stakeholder. Building trust with the local community is key towards building a balance synergy, while promoting tourism interventions.”
“Visitors should be immersed in our rich culture and traditions,” the chief minister remarked.
Talking of Meghalaya’s growth in tourism and its contribution to the overall GDP, he informed that tourism has played a crucial role in the overall turnaround of the economy of the state.
Informing that government does not only want to accomplish target but its approach was to ensure that there is economic growth and inclusive development.”
He further informed that close to ₹2,000 crore has been invested in the state in the last phree years, and ₹INR 4000 Cr will be invested in the tourism sector in the next few years.
“We have been able to create direct and indirect employment of close to 50,000 in the last three years. We expect to double it to about 100,000 (1 lakh) jobs in the next four to five years, with a large investment,” he said.
