Meghalaya CM inaugurates ‘Vivanta’, state’s first five-star hotel

After a 36-year anticipation, Meghalaya has at long last celebrated the grand opening of its inaugural five-star hotel. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma presided over the inauguration of the Vivanta Hotel, underscoring its pivotal role in advancing the state’s tourism sector.

Addressing the press, CM Sangma remarked, “The establishment of Vivanta Meghalaya is a testament to our unwavering commitment, determination, and dedication in the face of numerous challenges. This hotel epitomizes the indomitable spirit of our state.”

Originally proposed in 1985, construction commenced in 1986, but due to a series of delays, it took several decades to reach completion. Over the years, the hotel had garnered attention for its protracted development timeline.

CM Sangma elucidated, “Presently, Meghalaya grapples with a shortage of upscale accommodations. The presence of a five-star hotel in Shillong will enable the government to attract high-end tourists, host national and international music and sports events, as well as conferences and seminars.”

He further stressed, “Our objective is not merely to draw a large number of tourists who spend modestly; we aspire to allure high-spending visitors by offering them a unique and unforgettable experience, coupled with top-tier services.”

CM Sangma envisaged that the presence of five-star hotels in Shillong would open doors to luxury tourism, the hosting of prestigious events, and position Meghalaya as a preferred destination.

He also encouraged the incorporation of local cuisine and traditional crafts to enrich the tourist experience. He advocated for collaboration between self-help groups involved in local culinary initiatives and hotels to provide memorable encounters for visitors.

Enunciating his vision to propel Meghalaya into the top 10 states within the next decade, CM Sangma emphasized the pivotal role of tourism in achieving this aspiration. He outlined a tourism model centered around hubs such as Sohra, Jowai, Shillong, Umiam, and Tura, with nearby rural tourist destinations developed as complementary attractions.

CM Sangma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an ideal ecosystem for tourism, including infrastructure development and improved connectivity. He also expressed interest in attracting tourists from Bangladesh, the closest international neighbor, albeit acknowledging that detailed plans would require time to materialize.

Given the Northeast region’s status as a burgeoning tourism hotspot, CM Sangma urged collaborative efforts among all Northeastern states to promote the region as a collective destination, transcending individual state boundaries.

The Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong hotel, sprawled across an 8,800 sqm area, features more than 100 rooms, a specialty restaurant, coffee houses, a bar, retail establishments, and an expansive banquet hall. Owned by the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), it has been leased for 33 years under a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement and will be operated by the IHCL.