Meghalaya's Tourism Sector Faces Challenges, Says Former Minister Paul Lyngdoh
Decline in Tourism Sector
A file image of Meghalaya's Former Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh. (Photo: Meta)
Guwahati, Sept 19: According to Paul Lyngdoh, the former Tourism Minister and current MLA for West Shillong, Meghalaya's tourism industry has experienced a downturn in recent years. He noted that the sector had reached its peak during his time in office.
“Unfortunately, that is the feedback I have been receiving. We achieved our peak during my tenure as tourism minister, as we also engaged in track-two diplomacy,” Lyngdoh stated during a press conference on Friday.
He emphasized the importance of dialogue with various groups and NGOs, even those with differing opinions from the government. “My door is always open. We may not agree, but we respect each other's perspectives,” he remarked.
Lyngdoh pointed out that the landscape has shifted significantly since the 1990s, warning that the activism of that era would not be effective in today's context.
“The situation has changed dramatically, and for a delicate industry like tourism, especially in the social media age, it is crucial for all stakeholders, both state and non-state, to be mindful of their words and actions, as every action has consequences,” he explained.
“The activism we practiced in the '90s will not be suitable for the 21st century,” he added.
As a member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Lyngdoh served as Tourism Minister until a cabinet reshuffle in 2025. His comments come at a time when eight UDP legislators are considering a potential shift to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which could impact the political dynamics of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.
In the meantime, the state government is intensifying preparations for the upcoming 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival, set to take place in November, with various departments reviewing the arrangements at the event site.
The official Meghalaya Tourism website has scheduled the two-day festival for November 20-21 at Highland Ground, Mawkhanu, New Shillong.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal reported that a joint inspection of the venue was conducted on Wednesday, involving the district administration, police, Tourism Department, and other relevant departments.
“On Wednesday, we carried out a joint inspection with the SP office, Tourism Department, and other departments. We visited the venue, noted our observations, and these will be presented to the government for a collective decision on expediting the necessary work,” Baranwal stated.
He mentioned that preparations are in progress, and organizers were present during the inspection. A government-level meeting will be convened to finalize the arrangements and identify any remaining tasks.
The inspection focused on traffic management and logistical considerations, including entry and exit points as well as parking arrangements.
Baranwal noted that police involvement in the inspection aimed to evaluate arrangements to minimize disruptions for residents, participants, and visitors during the festival.
“Essentially, that’s why representatives from the SP office were present, to ensure that during this Cherry Blossom event, we minimize any inconvenience to both the public and the attendees,” he explained.
He assured that adequate security measures would be implemented for the festival, with the police assessing the need for additional personnel.