Shillong: Meghalaya is moving to lock down its cultural identity through a new Heritage Tourism Working Group. Officials plan to open two pilot Heritage Tourism Labs to turn community-driven ideas into a concrete framework for the state. These hubs will operate out of the Asian Confluence Centre in Shillong and the Cherrapunji Holiday Resort. They serve as incubators for local tourism projects.
This move follows a Friday workshop titled Initiating a Heritage Tourism Policy for Meghalaya. The event gathered 27 representatives from 18 organizations, ranging from researchers to heritage experts. They aimed to map out a sustainable future for the sector. The new Working Group will hold regular meetings to turn these session recommendations into reality.
Talks focused on regenerative tourism, a model where locals lead the way and strong policy provides the backbone. ACT founder Raj Basu kicked off the event. He told the crowd: "Linking tourism with local culture and community welfare" is the primary goal. Padma Shri Patricia Mukhim, Editor of The Shillong Times, chaired the session.
Asian Confluence committed to ongoing partnerships. They want to balance growth with the preservation of the state's cultural and natural assets. By keeping the community at the helm, organizers hope to safeguard heritage while creating lasting livelihoods.
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