While Gorkhaland agitation hits the tourism industry in Darjeeling, Meghalaya is seeing a steady increase in the influx of tourists. The state Government plans to capitalise on the sudden spurt of domestic tourists who otherwise would have made Darjeeling their holiday destination.

Despite snail-paced development of tourism infrastructure here, there has been a steady increase of domestic tourists in the state. State Tourism Officer Dafy Syiem said that last year, 4,57,685 domestic and 5,267 foreign tourists visited Meghalaya. In 2006, domestic tourists numbered 4,00,287, and foreign tourists 4,259.

Syiem said the figure of domestic tourists would increase this year as most of the Darjeeling-bound tourists are coming to Meghalaya because of the Gorkhaland movement.

The state Tourism Department has instituted the ‘Bed and Breakfast’ concept to overcome the shortage of hotel rooms. Under the scheme, local residents will be encouraged to rent out rooms and, if necessary, provide food — preferably the local dishes — to tourists staying with them.

Meghalaya Tourism Minister Conrad K Sangma said, “The concept will make the tourists feel at home as they will be staying with a family. We will encourage families who want to rent out rooms to tourists by facilitating infrastructure development.”

With 800-plus rooms available in the city hotels, the state Government felt that the concept of ‘Bed and Breakfast’ would work well, as the locals would not only be directly involved in promotion of tourism but would also receive additional income.

Realising that tourism can be a major revenue-generating industry, the state Government is trying to lure both domestic as well as “dollars tourists” to the state. Eyeing tourists from the neighbouring country of Bangladesh, the Government is working out a plan to start a bus service from Dawki (near the Bangladeshi border) to Shillong.

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