The tourism and hospitality sector in Meghalaya has suffered a major blow because of the unstable law and order in the state and it would take time for those in the sector to bounce back.

On Thursday, a Congress delegation led by Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma met hoteliers here to discuss the fallout of the prevailing situation in the state and especially in the capital.

Briefing reporters, Mukul said since 2014-15, there has been an upsurge in the number of tourists visiting the state resulting in the coming up of hotels, guesthouses, homestays and others.

“But this has taken a beating due to the negative narrative. To change the narrative will require a collective endeavour, and people have to understand the importance of the hospitality sector,” Mukul said.

He said the prevailing law-and-order situation and the criminal activities have given rise to a “negative narrative”.

The leader of the Opposition said this has resulted in the cancellation of many hotel bookings by tourists.

“The impact cannot be quantified at the moment, but the sector has taken a big hit. It will take some time to rebuild the narrative and the state’s image. We have to correct the situation,” he said while stating that violence has never solved any problem.

He also said the Opposition would reach out to all to help in restoring normalcy.

“Do not resort to lawlessness and undo (the good) things,” he said.

Mukul said he has requested chief minister Conrad K. Sangma to immediately convene a meeting of all political parties and stakeholders to discuss the prevailing situation.

“The government should take everybody on board. We are only the custodians of the present while the future belongs to generation next,” he added.

On the Meghalayan Age Festival, which is due to begin on Saturday in West Jaintia Hills, Mukul said it was upto the government to decide whether to go ahead with it.

“How you do things is important. Is it a time to have the programme when hundreds will converge? We have to look at the situation across the country where cases of novel coronavirus have been detected,” he said, while not explicitly saying whether the festival should still be held.