Tourist footfall crossed 15 lakh this year, likely to increase by 60% next year
Shillong, Dec 2: Tourists visiting Meghalaya will soon be able to choose between road and air travel within the state as the state government has decided to introduce helicopter services to connect major tourist circuits in the state.
The service will initially start between Guwahati and Shillong and later include more tourist destinations, including Umiam, Sohra, Dawki and New Shillong.
Informing about the decision on Monday, tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh said, “We are at an initial stage where we would connect Meghalaya with helicopter services, exclusively for movement of tourists.”
“We will start with Guwahati to Shillong meaning Umroi airport then Umiam, Sohra, Dawki and New Shillong,” he added.
The decision was prompted by the government’s focus on connecting tourism circuits, including by air.
On the importance of improving road connectivity to connect tourism circuits, he said, “For instance Mawsynram where we are developing the museum… that will need more investments in the road network.”
Meanwhile, the tourism minister said tourist footfall to the state crossed 15 lakh this year and expected to increase by 60% next year.
Quoting a private survey, he said they found Shillong as the most preferred destination by Indian tourists in 2025.
“Of 10 preferred destinations, Shillong has reached number one, meaning by 2025 the increase of footfall would not be less than 60%,” he stated.
Terming this as a major tourism success story, Lyngdoh said, “In the past many years, we have not been able to get that kind of recognition…”
Referring to the Central grant of ₹199 crore to develop two tourism projects in the state, he said the government has successfully been able to sell brand Meghalaya as the ultimate tourism destination.
In view of the increased tourist footfall, he said, “We need to come up with more accommodation units, hotels, resorts, etc.”
