SHILLONG : Meghalaya’s tourism industry is facing fresh uncertainty after the violence in Shillong and the continuing Assam-Meghalaya transport standoff disrupted travel, with tourism stakeholders claiming that around 80% of hotel and homestay bookings have been cancelled or cut short.
The reported cancellations come during the state’s busy tourism period, when hotels, homestays, tourist vehicles, guides, restaurants and other businesses depend heavily on visitor movement.
Tourism operators have also raised concern over visitors being stranded because of restrictions affecting the Guwahati-Shillong route. The interstate taxi dispute has made it difficult for tourists and commuters to find transport between Assam and Meghalaya.
Reports have put the number of tourists affected by the unrest at around 12,000, while nearly 2,000 visitors were reportedly staying in hotels and homestays amid the disruption.
A guest house operator in Sohra also reported cancellations for the following three days, with visitors from Gujarat and West Bengal among those changing their travel plans.
The disruption is particularly significant because thousands of tourists normally enter Meghalaya through Assam before travelling onwards to Shillong, Sohra and other destinations.
Tourism bodies in Meghalaya have condemned the violence and appealed for restraint, warning that continued tension could cause further losses to businesses and people whose income depends on tourism.
Six tourism and hospitality organisations have jointly raised concerns over the situation. They include:
- Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya
- Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum
- Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya
- Federation of Shillong Hotels
- Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum
- Meghalaya Rural Tourism Cooperative Federation.
The organisations have warned that the impact could extend beyond hotels and tourist operators, affecting rural communities and other workers connected directly or indirectly to the tourism economy.
The transport disruption has added another problem.
Following attacks on Assam-registered vehicles during Wednesday’s KSU rally, Assam-based taxi operators stopped Meghalaya-registered vehicles at parts of the border, while Meghalaya taxi operators also suspended or restricted inter-state services.
The resulting standoff has affected passengers travelling between Guwahati and Shillong, including tourists who use the corridor as a major entry route into Meghalaya.
The Meghalaya government have been in contact with the Assam government over the situation. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has spoken with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, with both sides trying to work towards restoring peace and normal movement.
