For the Meghalaya Tourism Department, conserving Shillong’s colonial-era heritage structures, which evoke the timeless allure of the “Scotland of the East,” has taken center stage. In order to preserve their heritage for upcoming generations, efforts are being made to map and restore these historical sites. Paul Lyngdoh, the minister of tourism, highlighted the significance of this endeavor by saying, “Attempts are underway to identify all of these heritage sites. As you may know, we have started talks with UNESCO to have our live root bridges recognized as world-class heritage properties. In the upcoming year, that endeavor will be stepped up.”
With about 30 lakh tourists visiting the state this year, Meghalaya’s increasing popularity as a travel destination is clear. On this milestone, Lyngdoh said, “We are still collecting figures from two major events-Cherry Blossom and the Bryan Adams concert-but it should not be less than 30 lakh for this year.” Meghalaya’s tourism industry has grown significantly, and the state is now a popular travel destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. “Tourism has seen an unprecedented spurt of growth, and we want to ensure that the current popularity Meghalaya has attained is further solidified in the years ahead,” Lyngdoh said, expressing hope about maintaining this pace. The foot traffic has been very outstanding, and we have already signed a deal with Lemon Tree for another five-star hotel in the center of the city before the year is out.”
