Sohra, September 27, 2025 – The Department of Tourism and Travel Management, Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), in collaboration with Hima Sohra and the Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF), organized a two-day programme to mark World Tourism Day 2025 under the global theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” The event aimed to emphasize tourism’s role in promoting sustainability, community development, and responsible travel, while engaging students, local stakeholders, and visitors in meaningful activities.
The celebrations began on September 26 with the launch of the Clean, Green and Safe Sohra Campaign at Mawkdok. Over 40 MLCU students joined community members in a large-scale cleaning drive to promote responsible tourism practices. A facilitation booth was set up to distribute waste bags to tourist cab drivers and pamphlets to visitors, encouraging eco-friendly behavior and waste management.
Later in the afternoon, a formal programme was held opposite Café Cherrapunjee where the campaign was officially launched. On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between MLCU’s Department of Tourism and Travel Management and Hima Sohra, aimed at strengthening rural tourism initiatives and enhancing community participation in Sohra.
The celebration continued on September 27 with enthusiastic participation in the 4th Sohra International Half Marathon. Students volunteered along the marathon route in collaboration with local schools such as Laitryngew Presbyterian School and Mawmihthied Upper Primary School, assisting with event logistics and crowd management. To reinforce the message of sustainability, students displayed flex banners with slogans in both English and Khasi at key points including Laitsohpliah, Umstew, and Lad Mawkma, spreading awareness on safe and responsible tourism.
The two-day programme demonstrated the strength of partnerships between academia, local governance, and community stakeholders in advancing responsible, inclusive, and sustainable tourism. The initiative highlighted how tourism can play a transformative role in driving sustainable development in Meghalaya.
