Meghalaya CM inaugurates Orchid Lake Cottages to boost tourism in state

Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], Jan 18 (ANI): The northeastern state of Meghalaya is one of the most scenic places in the country and has a lot to offer visitors. Ranging from lush green mountains, scenic landscape and picturesque beauty, Meghalaya has emerged as a favourite destination for tourists.
Realising the immense potential of the state, the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Meghalaya state government has been working tirelessly to boost the tourism sector of the state.
In one such step towards enhancing the tourism sector, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma inaugurated the Lake View and Orchid Lake Cottages in the backdrop of the scenic Umiam Lake, constructed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, initiated by the Indian government.
Commenting on the same, Conrad Sangama, Chief Minister of Meghalaya said, "The government's job is to ensure that we stick to policy making and infrastructure development but at the end of the day, it is the entrepreneurs and the public who need to participate in the growth and the success story of the tourism sector."
Sangma further added, "That is why projects like these are important, as it showcases all other entrepreneurs what we can do."
Speaking on tourism and connectivity in the state, the Meghalaya CM further added, "Tourism is not just a sector that is run by tourism department. We need to realise that it has many stakeholders. Tourism will do its part but we need connectivity coming into Shillong. I am happy to inform you that in the past three-four months we have been talks with different airlines. We need a flight that comes from Delhi to Shillong directly.
The Umiam Lake, popularly known as the Barapani, is the biggest artificial lake in the state and one of the scenic reservoirs that attract a large number of tourists from all across the globe and the newly constructed cottages by the lake will be like a cherry on the cake.
Underscoring the initiatives being taken by his government, Chief Minister Sangma asserted that the government had adopted a systematic approach to develop tourism and sought to develop a unique selling point for all the destinations in the state, adding that the government has envisioned developing heritage villages in different destinations to help tourists experience the unique culture, tradition, and music of Meghalaya.
Metbah Lyngdoh, Minister of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, who too was present at the event, said, "We have a couple of projects in the pipeline. Some are yet to be completed. And the purpose of this project is to create more infrastructures for the tourist so that they will have better facilities."
He added, "It is pertinent to mention here that the second project under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been approved for Meghalaya. The project is aimed at developing tourist circuits in other districts of the state including West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, and the Garo Hills."
The new development in the tourism sector is expected to increase inflow of tourists in the state thereby contributing largely towards the state exchequer. (ANI)