Guwahati, Sep 27: Tourists coming into Shillong will now get a more welcoming, hospitable and memorable experience.

This is happening as Shillong has been selected as a destination for Paryatan Mitra & Paryatan Didi by the Union Tourism Ministry.

Ministry of Tourism had piloted Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi in 6 tourist destinations across India namely – Orchha (Madhya Pradesh), Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh) Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Aizawl (Mizoram), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), and Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

This was announced by Union Tourism Ministry on Friday the occasion of World Tourism Day. Barring Shillong, 49 more destinations in the country have been selected as destinations for Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi. From Northeast- Guwahati, Dimpaur, Agartala, Gangtok, Imphal have been selected as destinations for Paryatan Mitra & Paryatan Didi.

The vision of Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi is to welcome one and all to experience Incredible India through Incredible Indians, thereby creating a more welcoming, hospitable, and memorable experience for tourists when in India.Through this initiative, Ministry of Tourism aims to elevate the overall experience for tourists in destinations, by having them meet ‘tourist-friendly’ people who are proud Ambassadors & Storytellers for their destination. This is being done by providing tourism related training and awareness to all individuals who interact and engage with tourists in a destination.

Driven by ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’, cab drivers, auto drivers, staff at railway stations, airports, bus stations, hotel staff, restaurant workers, homestay owners, tour guides, police personnel, street vendors, shop keepers, students, and many more were provided training and awareness on the importance of tourism, general cleanliness, safety, sustainability, and also on the importance of providing tourists with the highest standards of hospitality and care.

These individuals were also made aware of the local stories of the destination along with its lesser-known tourism wonders, so that every person a tourist interacts with in these destinations, turn out to be local Ambassadors and Storytellers, who strive to create a positive tourist experience in every manner

Special emphasis is being placed on the training of women and youth to enable them to develop new tourism products & experiences like heritage walks, food tours, craft tours, nature treks, homestay experiences, and other innovative tourism products based on the potential of the destination. It is also envisioned that locals leverage these skills to obtain gainful employment going forward as homestay owners, food & cuisine experience providers, cultural guides, natural guides, adventure guides, and other roles in tourism.

The Tourism Ministry today decided that from now on it will recognise Paryatan Mitra’s and Didi’s in destinations with a dedicated badge and identity, offering tourists a way to be assured of an incredible experience when with a Paryatan Mitra.

Mawphlang from Mehalaya selected as the best tourism village in heritage category.

Excited to share that Umden and Mawphlang have been chosen as the Best Tourism Villages from Meghalaya in the 2024 Best Tourism Village Competition in the Craft and Heritage Categories by @tourismgoi. The awards will be presented on World Tourism Day, 27th September 2024, in New… pic.twitter.com/4DSohwb829

— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) September 19, 2024

Read: Assam CM urges Nitin Gadkari to resume pending work on Majuli-Jorhat bridge

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