New hotel to be transformation of Orchid Hotel in Shillong
Shillong, Dec 4: In a step further towards creating one lakh jobs and with focus on tourism sector having huge potential, chief minister Conrad K Sangma laid foundation stone for the state’s third five-star hotel in the city on Wednesday.
To be set up by Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd under public-private partnership (PPP) mode, this is so far the state’s largest PPP initiative, which is poised to boost tourism, stimulate economic growth, and create significant employment opportunities for the youth, said the chief minister.
The 124-crore luxury hotel with 130 rooms is coming up as a transformation of the existing Orchid Hotel under a new identity “Aurika Hotel”.
However, the chief minister suggested that the new hotel could retain its legacy by adopting the name “Aurika Orchid Hotel”.
Lemon Tree Hotels will pay ₹5 crore as upfront fee and annual payment of ₹2.05 crore to Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), and contribute 1% of the hotel’s gross revenue.
Currently, the state has two five-star hotels – Vivanta Meghalaya and Courtyard Marriott – both in Police Bazar area in Shillong.
Tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh, MTDC chairman Sanbor Shullai, chief secretary DP Wahlang, commissioner & secretary in-charge Tourism Dr Vijay Kumar D, COO of Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. in-charge of Southeast Region Prashant Mehrotra, and tourism director Cyril VD Diengdoh, among others were also present on the occasion.
This project aims to elevate Meghalaya’s status as a leading tourist destination while fostering sustainable economic development in the region, stated an official release.
