Shillong: Meghalaya tourism is fading. West Shillong MLA and former Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh warned that the sector is losing ground. He claimed that the growth seen during his ministerial term has slowed significantly. The legislator pointed to his previous strategy of diplomacy and consistent dialogue with NGOs as the engine for past success.
The digital age makes the industry brittle. Today, a single statement or local incident spreads globally in hours. This immediate visibility can wreck the state's reputation. Lyngdoh argued that state and non-state actors must change how they handle public dissent. "For an industry which is as fragile as tourism, especially in the age of social media, it’s incumbent upon all actors, state and non-state, to be particular about their utterances and actions," Lyngdoh said.
Old tactics do not fit the modern world. Activism from the 1990s does not apply to the 21st century. The communication environment changed. The state government remains focused on infrastructure and visitor growth despite these concerns. The Tourism Department currently reports problems with limited connectivity and weak infrastructure. Officials continue to push for responsible, sustainable tourism to manage concentrated footfall at key destinations.
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