The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport’s operator, Guwahati International Airport Limited (GIAL), and the Meghalaya Department of Tourism collaborated to organize a workshop on the topic of “development of the tourism industry in the North East Region,” with a focus on “the last mile connectivity,” on Thursday at the Hotel Pine Wood in Shillong.
The press release states that C.V. Deyangdo, the government of Meghalaya’s director of tourism, and Paul Lyngdoh, the state of Meghalaya’s minister of tourism, honored the occasion.
Along with other dignitaries from the government, hotels, tour and travel companies, airlines, airports, and other players in the tourist sector, the release noted the presence of Moitreyee Das, the deputy director of the Assam tourist Department.
Setting the scene, Chief Airport Officer of Guwahati Airport Utpal Baruah elaborated the airport vision that seeks to transform the LGBI Airport into a regional domestic hub and an international hub towards South East Asian countries. He also discussed how air connectivity can play a crucial role in developing a strong tourism industry in the region and tapping a flow of international tourists to the region through our neighboring countries.
Lyngdoh stressed the need of fostering collaboration among all regional stakeholders and recommended that a regional strategy to promote eco-friendly, sustainable tourism would be suitable for the whole area, which includes the seven sisters and Sikkim.
According to the press release, Deyangdo also spoke at the event and requested that LGBI Airport build certain amenities at the new, planned airport in Guwahati to provide strong “last mile connectivity” that begins at the airport.
Deyangdo also desired that the airport visitors would experience all seven states.
According to the press release, Moitreyee Das discussed community-based tourism in Assam and the Assam Government’s strategy for the next five years during the event.
Bah E. Bannlumlang Blah, COO of GIAL Snehasish Dutta, President of Shillong Hotel Federation Parambir Sehdave, President of Hotel and Restaurant Association of Assam Nikhil Kansal, and President of Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya Bah E. Bannlumlang Blah all spoke at the event and discussed the various facets of the topic of “the last mile connectivity.”
All of the attendees at the session were appreciative of the airport’s commitment to encourage travel and air connectivity. A vote of appreciation was given by GIAL’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Bhairab Baruah, to conclude the session.
The next workshop in the series is anticipated to take place in Arunachal Pradesh in December.