Heartbreaking Decline: Meghalaya Hotels and Resorts Face 30% Booking Cancellations Due to Tourist Vehicle Ban
SHILLONG: Local Group Causes Major Tourist Cancellations in Meghalaya
A local organization in Meghalaya, Hynniewtrep National Youth Front, established unauthorized checkpoints on Friday, blocking vehicles with Assam registration plates from accessing key tourist spots like Dawki and Cherrapunji. This led to a significant surge in cancellations of accommodation bookings around Shillong, with a 30% drop reported on the same day and expectations of exceeding 50% in the coming days.
Parambir S. Sehdave, President of the Federation of Shillong Hotels, highlighted the immediate impact, with multiple hospitality organizations, including the Tourism Operators Association of Meghalaya and Meghalaya Tourist Development Forum, condemning the group’s actions. Banlum Blah, President of the Tourism Operators Association of Meghalaya, announced plans to petition state tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh, seeking action against those responsible.
The checkpoints, set up at a crucial three-way intersection, forced tourists to turn back if their vehicles bore Assam’s AS registration plates, while only those with Meghalaya’s ML registration plates were allowed through. This disruption prompted a wave of cancellations from tourists who had pre-booked accommodations.
Police and local administration eventually stepped in to restore order, ensuring the smooth flow of traffic. Acting on directives from the DGP Meghalaya, the local police detained 10 members of the organization. Despite the intervention, the incident had already inflicted significant damage on the region’s tourism sector, with a substantial number of booking cancellations.
The tourism industry stakeholders have urged swift action to prevent recurrence, emphasizing the detrimental impact on Meghalaya’s reputation as a tourist-friendly state.
Original Story https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/meghalaya-news/meghalaya-hotels-and-resorts-see-30-cancellation-of-bookings-after-stoping-of-tourist-vehicles
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