Preparation of Comprehensive Tourism Development Strategy for Meghalaya including vision plan

Project Overview

Project: Preparation of a Comprehensive Tourism Development Strategy for Meghalaya including
vision plan
Location: Shillong and other locations in Meghalaya
Duration: Oct. 2019 to Jun. 2021
Client: Directorate of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya
Address: Shillong, Meghalaya, India

Brief Description of the Project

The State of Meghalaya wanted an integrated and holistic approach to developing tourism across the State in a comprehensive and sustainable manner, with the intention of increasing the footfalls of both the international and domestic tourists.

Key Objectives were

To facilitate long-term growth and development of the tourism industry in the State while adhering to the sustainable tourism principles.
To promote and enhance the participation of local communities as stakeholders in the development of tourist locations, products and services through capacity building, leading to the empowerment and upliftment of the socio-economic status of the communities.
To successfully deliver memorable tourist experiences by harnessing the rich culture and heritage of Meghalaya.
To create tourism led economic growth roadmap for the prosperity and revenue generation of the State.

Services Provided

Phase 1: Secondary Studies

Assessment of connectivity on national, regional and local levels through various modes of transport and existing infrastructure facilities at the tourism destinations.
Benchmarking with other Northeast States and analysis of top three performing States for best practices.
Studying three global destinations which are comparable to Meghalaya.
Conducting gap assessment comparing existing assets to tourist expectations.
Identification of overall goals and objectives for tourism in Meghalaya.

Phase 2: Stakeholder Consultations

Conducting visitations to key attractions & undertaking Stakeholders Consultations.
Stakeholder Consultations with local authorities from all eleven districts of the State.
Conducting two focus groups with local community participants to identify employment and capacity building opportunities.

Phase 3: Vision Document & Tourism Development Strategy

Preparation of broad tourism vision for Meghalaya.
Preparing a detailed SWOT analysis of Meghalaya as a destination.
Prioritizing long-, medium-, and short-term interventions.
Creating thematic circuits and clusters of attractions.
Estimation of costing for potential interventions.
Identification various sources of funding and mode of implementation.
Formulation of implementation strategy.
Revision of draft development strategy based on inputs.
Recommending ways to engage the local communities in tourism development.
Post-COVID response framework / SOPs for various tourism sub-sectors and service providers.