Tourism sector in a shambles

Staff Correspondent

Shillong, June 5: The Federation of Shillong Hotels has expressed concern over the violence and tension in the city, inflicting a severe blow to the tourism sector. While over the past few years, Shillong has been growing into a popular tourist destination in the North-eastern part of the country, the unfortunate turn of events over the last five days have plunged the industry into virtual darkness according to secretary of the Federation of Hoteliers Arnold Lanong.

The pelting of stones on tourist vehicles is the worst kind of treatment that could be meted out to the visitors, the fallout of which is that the tourist vehicles from Assam have started to avoid coming to Shillong. The stone pelting was totally uncalled for and it is virtually unheard of in any part of the world that tourists are harmed. Even the most disturbed cities of the world do not appear to have any such history of atrocities upon tourists.

The fallout of the current situation has directly affected all the road side vendors, tea stalls, food stalls, tourist spots, local taxis, tourist cabs, home stays, guest houses and hotels. It has hugely impacted the economic condition of the population of the city which in various ways are dependent on the tourism sector, opined the Federation. Meanwhile, the Federation has appealed to all sections of the society, especially those directly involved in the present standoff, to understand the significance of the tourism industry and thereby adopt non-violent means in resolving the issues of contention. It has also appealed to the government to take proactive measures in restoring peace and building trust and security in the city.