The Meghalaya Chief Minister – Conrad Sangma today inaugurated the state’s first-ever 5 Star Hotel – ‘Vivanta Meghalaya’ in Shillong – a historic occasion initiated after a long wait of 36 years.
Referring the inauguration as a “truly momentous occasion in the history of Meghalaya”, Sangma emphasized that construction for the hotel had been ongoing since 1986, but could only be completed after a strong push delivered by the current NPP-led administration.
He congratulated and expressed gratitude towards the concerned stakeholders, including – Meghalaya Tourism, Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation Limited (MTDC) for completing the project, despite the COVID-induced disruptions.
Built within an area of about 8,800 sq. metres, the hotel incorporates of 101 rooms and other facilities including a specialty restaurant, coffee shops, bar, retail shops, and a banquet hall. It has been leased out for a period of 33 years on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode to be operated by the IHCL.
The Chief Minister also said that the Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong along with the upcoming hotel Courtyard by Marriott will give a huge boost to high-value tourism in the State; and let the tourists discover its rich history, heritage & culture.
Taking to Twitter, the Meghalaya CM wrote “With a huge feeling of fulfilment and after a long wait of 36 years, I am filled with immense joy today to inaugurate Meghalaya’s First 5 Star Hotel ‘Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong’. The former Crowborough Hotel stood abandoned in Police Bazar, the marketing hub of Shillong for almost 4 decades and was a long unfulfilled dream of the people of the State. We are happy to finally achieve this milestone in 50 years of our Statehood.”
The former Crowborough Hotel stood abandoned in Police Bazar, the marketing hub of Shillong for almost 4 decades and was a long unfulfilled dream of the people of the State. We are happy to finally achieve this milestone in 50 years of our Statehood@kishanreddybjp @VivantaHotels pic.twitter.com/NuJVxvaSIe
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 14, 2022
“I congratulate team @meghtourism, @MTDC_Meghalaya, @vivantashillong and all the officials who have persisted through the years to complete the project of our people’s dream. It is a matter of great pride to welcome #IHCL, India’s largest hospitality company, to #Meghalaya with the handover of @vivantashillong today. Our new 5 Star Hotel will encourage more tourists to visit our beautiful state to discover its rich history, heritage & culture” – he further added.
It is a matter of great pride to welcome #IHCL, India’s largest hospitality company, to #Meghalaya with the handover of @vivantashillong today. Our new 5 Star Hotel will encourage more tourists to visit our beautiful state to discover its rich history, heritage & culture
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 14, 2022
However, this model will be further replicated in the future to transform Meghalaya into the most preferred eco-tourism destination.
Sangma further added that the state government has taken a number of initiatives to augment the accommodation infrastructure in the State; which includes – construction of large resorts & tourism infrastructure in Sakaladuma in West Garo Hills, Shnongpdeng in West Jaintia Hills, Sohra in East Khasi Hills, Mawlyndep and Nongmahir in Ribhoi, Nongkhnum in West Khasi Hills, Thadlaskien in West Jaintia Hills and Pelgawari in South West Garo Hills.
In order to further augment the accommodation infrastructure, the ‘Homestay Scheme’ has been launched, wherein 2,500 accommodation units will be built over the next five years in convergence with the PMEGP.
