Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, unveiled the OneConnect Meghalaya Tourism Helpline and the new website for Meghalaya Tourism. The revamped website serves as a one-click gateway, providing a unified platform for every traveller’s needs.
Homestay and Community-Led Tourism Initiatives
These launches, complemented with the release of the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission Scheme and the Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme, position Meghalaya as a hub of responsible travel, nurturing authentic, human-centred experiences for every visitor.
Vision for Meghalaya’s Tourism Growth
In his keynote address, Conrad K. Sangma presented a comprehensive vision for Meghalaya’s tourism sector, highlighting it as a top priority over the last seven and a half years. Domestic tourist arrivals have grown to 1.6 million, with a target to create 50,000 new jobs within the next three years.
This growth is supported by 210 ongoing projects valued at ₹3,625 crores and an additional ₹260 crores sanctioned by the DoNER Ministry for developing the Sohra (Cherrapunji) destination. The new Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission aims to address accommodation shortages and leverage homestays for the upcoming National Games.
Expanding Infrastructure and Hospitality
The mission is complemented by a pipeline of high-end hotels, targeting eight 5-star properties by 2030, including one in Tura, and the expansion of Umroi Airport by 2027 to enable direct flights from major cities. The Chief Minister also highlighted the “concert economy,” revealing that a government spend of ₹23.5 crores yielded over ₹133 crores in returns, successfully branding Shillong as a global music destination.
Homestay Scheme Driving Jobs and Investments
Since its inception in 2023, the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Scheme has sanctioned nearly 800 homestays with investments nearing ₹100 crore. Currently, 237 are operational, generating over 1,600 direct jobs. The PRIME Tourism Vehicle Scheme also launched new vehicles to support this growth.
Empowering Stakeholders and Communities
Dr Vijay Kumar D., IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Tourism, emphasised, “Tourism is all about empowerment of stakeholders on both sides… initiatives are designed to empower these two sets of stakeholders.” In addition, the Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme provides up to ₹25 lakhs per project, supporting pathways, viewing decks, and other vital infrastructure, with grassroots organisations playing a key role in tourism development.
