Shillong, Dec 4: In a bid to enhance tourism infrastructure and generate over 1 lakh jobs in Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma laid the foundation stone for the state’s third 5-star hotel, Aurika Hotel by Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd., on Wednesday. The ceremony was held at the Orchid Hotel in Polo, Shillong.

The luxury hotel, set to feature 130 rooms include Banquet Halls and Conference rooms, is being developed at a cost of Rs. 124 crores under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. CM Sangma highlighted the project’s importance, calling it the largest PPP initiative in Meghalaya, poised to boost tourism, stimulate economic growth, and create significant employment opportunities for the youth.

As part of the transformation of the existing Orchid Hotel into the Aurika Hotel, Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. will pay a Rs. 5 crore upfront fee, an annual payment of Rs. 2.05 crore to MTDC, and contribute 1% of the hotel’s gross revenue. CM Sangma suggested that the new hotel could retain its legacy by adopting the name Aurika Orchid Hotel.

A Letter of Acceptance (LOA) was also handed over to the Lemon Tree group. The project would be completed in two and a half years’ time.

This project aims to elevate Meghalaya’s status as a leading tourist destination while fostering sustainable economic development in the region.

The chief minister said that the seeds which were sown in the last few years of this government are starting to bear fruit.

“In our entire plan of taking our state forward, tourism plays a very, very important role. But what we have to remember is tourism is not about a single event or a single hotel or a single restaurant or a festival that we have, but it is about the larger ecosystem that we create so that tourists will see Shillong and see Meghalaya as a destination, which they can come to, the continuity will be there, the brand of Shillong and the brand of Meghalaya will grow, and that’s when we will see the real outcome and real benefit of tourism as we move along,” he explained.

Other prominent attendees included Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Chairman Sanbor Shullai, Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang, Commissioner & Secretary in-charge Tourism Dr. Vijay Kumar D., COO of Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. in-charge of Southeast Region Prashant Mehrotra, and Director of Tourism Cyril V.D. Diengdoh, among others.

Also Read: MCA announces Meghalaya U-19 squad for last Cooch Behar Trophy 2024-25 match

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