Meghalaya State Tourism Policies

References:
 Meghalaya Tourism Policy, Tourism Department Government of Meghalaya, 2011.
 Tourism Development Plan for Meghalaya, Heritage Tourism Division & Indian National Trust for
Ministry of Tourism Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), April 2010.
 Advertisement policy, Government of Meghalaya, Department of Information and Public
Relations, Shillong, October 2018.
 Nayak P, Mishra SK. Problems and Prospects of Promoting Tourism in Meghalaya. ResearchGate
Journal, 2013.
 http://megtourism.gov.in/documents.html, accessed on 10th October, 2019
 https://indianculturalforum.in/2018/04/06/a-critical-appraisal-of-meghalaya-tourism,
accessed on 11th October, 2019
 http://www.neportal.org/northeastfiles/Meghalaya/Industry/Tourism/Tourism_Policy.asp,
accessed on 11th October, 2019
 https://www.india.gov.in/tourism-policy-meghalaya, accessed on 12th October, 2019
 http://meghalaya.gov.in/megportal/documents/category/3, accessed on 12th October, 2019

Submitted By:
Amlan Kar, 18MRA004
IIIrd Semester, 2nd Year
M.Arch, Recreation Architecture
Meghalaya State Tourism Policies
1. Introduction:
Tourism development is as significant to Meghalaya, as it has been in the other more progressive States
of India where it has grown into a promising industry. In this context, Tourism can, therefore, be
considered to be the gateway to economic development of the State. Meghalaya offers enormous
potential for employment and economic growth by utilizing the natural attractions like landscapes,
mountains and peaks, beaches, rivers, waterfalls, flora and fauna. It also applies to a multitude of man-
made attractions like monuments, places and unique rural and city environment.

To overcome the over-growing unemployment, the Government has attached more importance in the
tourism industry. Meghalaya has an edge over other tourist centers in the Northeast as it has unique blend
of different cultures, congenial climatic conditions and better infrastructures for setting up of tourism
related activities. During the last twenty years, Government has made several attempts to develop
Industries, encourage agricultural and other related activities in efforts to create employment.
Unfortunately, the impact has not been as desired as there is no viable industrial base and even in the
Tourism Sector; infrastructure so developed has been in an unorganized manner without any concise plan
and sense of direction.

The Meghalaya Tourism Policy - 2011 has been formulated to attract more tourists from India and abroad
and at the same time allow benefits to reach the grassroots of the populace thereby mitigating
innumerable interlinked problems being faced presently.

1.1 Aim: To analyze the proposed tourism policies in Meghalaya.

1.2 Objectives:
 To read about the policies proposed by the government from reliable sources.
 To critically analyze the pros and cons of the policies.
 To understand the benefits received by the tourism industry in Meghalaya through these policies.
 To provide a concluding statement and scope of future possibilities.

2. Policy Framework
2.1 Guiding Principles:
Realizing Tourism’s potential as a key promoter for economic growth of the state, the Government of
Meghalaya envisages the following key principles to bring about responsible growth in this sector.

The key principles are:

 Government will create basic infrastructure for tourism development and also act as a facilitator
for private investment in this sector.

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  Private sector will provide the quality products and offer active support services.
 Encouragement and assistance will be provided to promote entrepreneurship within the local
communities in the field of tourism. Importance will also be given to tourism projects which are
based on community participation.
 Tourism development will be undertaken in a manner so as to ensure sustainability and
conservation of the state’s environment and natural resources. Development of tourism activities
around natural resources will be done in conjunction with the relevant Government Departments
and in concurrence with any laws relating to protection and conservation. Sustainable
development of tourism will also help generate employment for the local people without
impacting on environment and local culture.
 To encourage hotel operators to ‘go green’ by strictly adhering to minimum standards with
regards to environmental performance and health standards. This will include use of renewable
energy sources, overall reduction in energy and water consumption, measures to harvest
rainwater, measures to reduce waste and provision of non-smoking areas etc.
 Tourism development will aim to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by strategic
regional policies and development agencies such as the NEIIPP (North East Industrial and
Investment Promotion Policy 2007), the State Industrial Policy, the Forest and Wildlife protection
Policies, NEC (North East Council) and Ministry of DONER. It will also participate in Central
Government initiatives/funding with regard to tourism.
 Meghalaya will build on its existing strengths to develop tourism by promoting a clean, healthy
and safe environment along with friendly and efficient services.
 Meghalaya Tourism will aim to develop a unique brand focusing on selected niches and products
in order to attract visitors to the state while differentiating itself, where necessary, from its
neighbors.
 Construction works relating to tourism projects may be designed in such a way that the structure
will merge with the surroundings and the natural environment of the area so as to present a good
ambience, taking into consideration the need for durability.

2.2 Objectives of the tourism policies:

 Create self-sustainable jobs for the local youth of the State and generate substantial revenue for
the State exchequer.

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  Project a friendly tourist image to the world at large and make the State one of the best tourist
destinations of the country by capitalizing on the State's natural assets; managing them properly
and creating a consistent competitive advantage.
 Promote local interests through strategic alliances with investors.
 To be the number one Indian destination by per capital market share of visitor's expenditure.
 Create a business climate which will attract outside investment.
 Encourage domestic tourism (inter State) with a view to provide to the people of the country as
well as the State especially those living in rural areas to understand geographical and cultural
diversity of the State as well as the aspirations and viewpoints of others so as to bring about a
greater national integration and cohesion.
 Offer opportunities to the youth not only for employment but also for taking up activities of nation
building character like sports, adventure and the like;
 Bring socio-economic benefits to the community and the State terms or faster economic growth,
larger employment opportunities, better income generation and foreign exchange earnings,
balanced development of backward areas and weaker sections, higher tax revenue to the State
and cause sustainable human development.
 Preserving and enriching our cultural heritage in all its manifestations and causing accretion and
strength, rather than damage to our social and cultural values;
 To create suitable environment for development of basic infrastructure facilities for tourism
including Communication and transportation links.
 To promote and protect the interest of the people of Meghalaya by making various incentives
available for setting up of hotels, health resorts, amusement parks etc.
 To encourage traditional artisans and the handicraft sector.
 To include ail Circuit Houses and Dak Bungalows under different Meghalaya Government
Departments within and outside the State for providing facilities to Tourists in co-ordination with
the concerned departments.

2.3 Implementing agency:

 The Directorate of Tourism will register all tourism and tourism related units.
 The Directorate of Tourism preferably the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. will
create and provide the tourism related infrastructure and priorities as far as possible.

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  The Directorate of Tourism in collaboration with Director of Industries, Commercial
Banks/Financial Institutions will scrutinize sanction and disburse subsidies to tourism units.
 The Department of Tourism shall work out the criteria for accreditation of certain Categories of
Hotels/Restaurants within the State of Meghalaya.

3. Definition & eligibility:

New unit: New units means a tourism unit, which commences execution/operation of the project on or
after January 1997 with prior approval in writing from the Director of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya.

Eligible units: Only projects approved by the Department of Tourism after 1997 would be eligible for
incentives and concessions.

Incentives are available for new units as well as to the existing units undergoing expansion modernization
and diversification. Subsidies are provided on Investment, maintenance, publicity, sales tax, power and
telephone connection, stamp duty, guest accommodation, luxury tax and interests etc.

3.1 Role of the Government:

Tourism is a multi-sector activity and the industry is influenced by many other sectors of the country
economy. The Government efforts will therefore, be directed at ensuring inter-governmental linkage and
effective co-ordination. Government has to play a pivotal role in tourism management and promotion.
There are several areas in which Government has to play a key role. These are: -

 Providing public infrastructure facility including local planning.

 Planning tourism development as a part of the other overall area development strategy.
 Creating nucleus infrastructure in the initial stage of development to demonstrate the potential
of the area.
 Providing support facilities and facilitation services to private enterprises along with appropriate
incentives.
 Introducing regulatory measures to ensure social, cultural and environmental sustainability.
 Ensuring that the type and scale of tourism development is compatible with the environment and
socio-cultural milieu of the area.
 Ensuring that the local community is fully involved and the benefits of tourism accrue to them.
 Facilitating availability of trained manpower and providing training and exposure particularly from
amongst the local population jointly with the industry department.
 Undertaking research including folklore legends etc and compiling, preparing master plans, and
facilitating formulation of marketing strategies.

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  Providing efficient transport and communication services.
 Providing clean and adequate basic amenities like drinking water, toilet facilities, wayside
refreshment centres, healthcare centres etc.
 Providing aggressive publicity through all the Metropolitan cities as well as abroad and setting up
of Tourist Information Centres.
 Inter-Departmental Co-ordination.

3.2 Role of private sector:

 The private sector has always been playing a bigger role in the field of tourism. The Government
Policy will, therefore, aim to encourage the private sectors in the following areas: -
 Building and managing the required tourist facilities in alt places of tourist interest.
 Assuring collective responsibility for laying down industry standards, ethics and fair practices.
 Involving the local community in tourism projects and ensuring that the benefits of tourism accrue
to them in right measure.
 Undertaking industry training and manpower development for achieving excellence in quality of
services.
 Participating in the preparation of investment guidelines and marketing strategies and assisting
in database creation and research.
 Facilitating safety and security of tourists.
 Ensuring preservation and protection of tourist attractions.

4. Implementation Parameters:
4.1 Thrust areas:
Based upon the opportunities available in the State, the following forms of tourism have been identified:

(a) Nature Tourism (Flora & Fauna) - There is tremendous scope for development of tourism based on
wildlife in the State particularly in Balpakram, Nokrek Biosphere reserve, Nongkhyllem and Nongdaju
areas in West Khasi Hills, National parks and Game sanctuaries should be developed in coordination with
the Forest Department and requisite facilities should be developed at or near such areas.

(b) Adventure Tourism - Comprising of trekking, caving, watersports, hang gliding bungee-jumping,
mountain trekking, climbing etc and abseiling activities. This type of tourism should be promoted in close
coordination with recognized adventure associations,

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(c) Cultural and Socio-cultural Tourism (Fairs and Festivals) - Cultural Centres are proposed to be
developed in the major districts of East Khasi Hills, West Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills. Promotion of major
fairs and festivals will be effected in both domestic and international markets.

(d) Health resort Tourism - The State as a whole is acquiring a reputation for alternative medicine and
also for producing natural healer. Efforts will therefore be made to promote this type of tourism through
the development of healthcare infrastructure.

(e) Golf Tourism - Meghalaya and Shillong in particular have tremendous potential for development of
several golf courses. The temperate climate also is a comparative advantage for promoting this form of
tourism.

(f) Conferencing and Convention Tourism - The salubrious climate and beautiful natural setting are a
comparative advantage, which could make Shillong in particular an important convention centre.

(g) Sports Tourism - Once the studies are completed, Shillong, Jowai and Tura can become venues for one
day international cricket tournaments and other sports such as badminton, tennis and so on. The
temperate climate makes the State attractive for such events.

(h) Casino Tourism - This form of tourism is vital to overcome the constraints facing tourism development
in the State, as it will have wide appeal especially in Muslim dominated countries such as Bangladesh,
Malaysia and Indonesia. However, an international airport at Umroi is a prerequisite if this project is to
succeed.

(i) Travel/Transportation and Communications - To reach the tourist destinations, considerate

upgradation of State and National Highways and roads leading to the places of tourist interest are needed.
The Government will actively pursue and facilitate developing of the existing airports in co-operation with
the National Airport Authority. It is hoped that the current policy of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and
Tourism encouraging charter flights will continue so that such destinations can be serviced regularly in
the near future in Meghalaya.

The Government will encourage Transport services for tourism purposes and also cruises without any
restriction on fares or any monopoly rights. It will take up the development of selected jetties and river
ports for the smooth operation of boat services. Entrepreneurs in the private sector would also be
encouraged to provide such facilities. The passenger tax will be restructured to encourage larger tourist
movement. The Government will continue to provide interstate transport permits and such other facilities
as may be necessary.

(j) Arts & Crafts promotion Tourism - The Tourism Department in association with the Art and Culture
Department and other State agencies will hold annual festivals and exhibitions for promoting specific
destinations. Visitors' Reception Centres will be set up at five or six places in the State to provide
recreation as well as to encourage local cuisine and village arts & crafts. The funds for these purposes will
be provided by the State Government.

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4.2 Promotion Scheme:
The government of Meghalaya’s Tourism Department came out with a notification on 20 January, 2012,
“Meghalaya Tourism Development and Investment Promotion Scheme,” which was to come into effect
from the date of the issuance of the notification.

When a government plans to introduce a scheme like this, they need to take into account things like land
ownership, community security, their preparedness, consensus, and support for the scheme. These were
completely ignored in Meghalaya's tourism scheme. This article examines the policy to see the effect that
implementing this policy will have on the people of Meghalaya.

The tourism scheme has some major problems, both in its designing and implementation. For instance,
there is conflict between the roles and powers of the local government bodies and the traditional
institutions of governance. This is a result of the exclusion of the traditional government bodies during
the policy designing. As a result, many of the scheme’s proposals go against the traditional values and
belief systems of the communities. Moreover, most of the government departments are unsure about
the division of tasks among the various government departments itself. This shows that the tourism policy
has also failed to come up with a clear management framework for putting its plan into action. All of this
just makes it clear that the scheme is not fit to be implemented.

The policy has been designed in a way that the full advantages of regional policies and the policies of
development agencies such as the NEIIPP (North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2007),
the State Industrial Policy, the Forest and Wildlife Protection Policies (Forest department), NEC (North
East Council) and the Ministry of DONER (Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region) are utilized.
Infrastructure facilities have also been planned and will follow the PPP model.

For this, the government plans to set up an advisory board which will decide the direction of the
development of tourism industry in the state and take the responsibility of bringing in or facilitating
synergy and co-ordination between the Tourism Department and other government departments. Its
implementation, however, has been kept on hold.

The policy talks about protection and conservation of natural resources and sustainable development of
tourism, their slogan declaring “Go-Green Meghalaya,” promoting practices like rainwater harvesting and
reducing water consumption. The Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has been set up,
charged with the responsibility of the development and promotion of tourism in Meghalaya. The
Corporation is tasked with increasing its revenue to enable it to carry out promotional activities. MTDC is
also supposed to organize package tours to important destinations. Nowhere is the role of municipalities,
the Meghalaya Public Works Department and the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board, mentioned to
achieve these objectives.

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5. Conclusion:

The State has a long way to go before it can complete with tourism facilities of nationally and
internationally popular destinations like Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Goa. The entire State, in a way
can be called backward in terms of tourism facilities of national and international standards and the
provision of modern tourism facilities prevailing in other States and countries especially South East Asia.
The State Government will have to co-ordinate the efforts of other concerned Departments and
concentrate in infrastructural development in selected areas as well as provide special incentives to the
private sector to set up tourism facilities of international standards. More than the Tourism Department,
the other State Agencies which provide basic amenities like electricity, water supply, roads etc. will have
to play a significant role in bringing about faster development of tourism.
As outlined in the policy for tourism development, a major role is to be played by the hoteliers, tour
operators, travel agencies and others who provide services in the Tourism Sector, The role of the State in
providing infrastructure and coordinating development efforts will be performed through a small and
compact administrative set up as already incorporated. The State Government is hopeful that the tourism
industry, investors, tourists and the general public will respond whole-heartedly to the approach and
policy of tourism development in the State and help in bringing about integrated and healthy tourism
development.