Ropeway project to start in mid November; Cherry Blossom Fest from Nov 15
Shillong, Oct 29: Increasing focus on employment generation in the tourism sector and making Meghalaya a most-favoured destination, the state government will launch “Tourism Buddy” scheme soon to aid tourists visiting the state.
Around 70 youth will be trained under the scheme on matters of security, guiding visitors and providing assistance in accommodation and other matters related to tourists to make their stay comfortable and satisfactory.
The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya has been roped in for training the ‘tourism buddies’, who will be deployed in areas with large tourist footfall – Laitlum, Ward’s Lake, Mawsmai cave, Arwah cave, Nohkalikai, Dainthlen, Mawlynnong, Mawkdok, Golflink, Shnongpdeng, Kransuri, etc.
“We would like to see them (tourism buddies) on the spot by the middle of November as this is the peak of tourist season,” said tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh after a review of various projects worth over ₹400 crore for development and promotion of tourism in the state.
“They (tourism buddies) will act as guides, helpers, interpreters and help people, who might lose their way around…,” Lyngdoh said adding that collaborations will take place with various societies and respective village dorbars for implementation of the scheme.
Meanwhile, the review meeting discussed ways and means to take tourism to next level with making Shillong the most preferred tourist destination for 2025.
Of the total ₹400-cr projects, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has funded ₹191 crore while ₹227 crore was earmarked from state plan for the various infrastructure-related activities to boost tourism.
The minister, who also reviewed Shillong ropeway project, said the work would start by mid November.
He also informed that the two-day Cherry Blossom Festival will be inaugurated by Union DoNER minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on November 15.
“We are also waiting for confirmation from the government of Japan as to which dignitary will attend the festival as this is for the first time that we are partnering with a foreign country,” he said.
LIT festival featuring renowned writers will also be held on November 17-18, he said.
