Increase in Domestic Tourists in Meghalaya

Shillong, Mar 17 : Meghalaya has witnessed an increase in the number of tourists, though the number of foreign visitors has showed a marginal decline over the past two years.

The number of domestic tourists the state registered in 2009 was 5,91,398, while in the previous year it was 5,49,954.

In 2007, the corresponding figure was 4,57,685, according to statistics made available by the state's tourism department.

The number of foreign tourists who visited the state last year stood at 4,522, indicating a marginal decline from the previous years.

The foreign visitors in 2008 and 2007 were 4,919 and 5,267 respectively.

Commenting on the increase in the number of over-all tourists, Tourism Officer D Syiem said Shillong and Cherrapunjee are the two most favourite places for the tourists in the state.

"We receive tourists throughout the year. The majority of them are from West Bengal and Assam," she said.