In a major move to solidify its position as a premier travel destination, the Meghalaya government has unveiled a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at expanding community-led tourism and boosting youth employment. During a “Tourism Champions” event held at the Orchid Lake Resort in Umiam, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira detailed a multi-pronged strategy to transform the state’s hospitality landscape.
Central to this push is the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission. The government handed out sanction letters to the inaugural batch of applicants, marking the start of an ambitious journey to establish 3,000 new homestays. This mission is projected to generate over 15,000 jobs by 2028, decentralizing the economic benefits of tourism and allowing local families to become primary stakeholders in the industry.
Furthering this community-centric approach, the government announced significant funding under the Community-Led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme. A total of 58 beneficiaries are set to receive support from a pool of Rs 3.40 crore, with individual grants ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh based on regional tourist footfall. This follows a previous disbursement of Rs 10 lakh each to 20 separate projects, signaling a consistent investment in rural infrastructure.
Chief Minister Sangma emphasized that Meghalaya’s growth rests on a “complete ecosystem.” To support this, he confirmed that the Shillong Airport expansion is slated for completion within 15 months, which will drastically improve national and international connectivity. Future landmark projects were also highlighted, including the Shillong Ropeway, the Rain Museum in Mawsynram, and enhanced tourism centers in Sohra.
The financial scale of the sector was further underscored by the success of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) Homestay Scheme. Officials revealed that Rs 102 crore has already been disbursed among more than 900 beneficiaries. To maintain high service standards, the event also saw the felicitation of top-performing homestay hosts and the distribution of scholarships and stipends to students at the Institute of Hotel Management.
Beyond infrastructure, the government is prioritizing the visitor experience through the construction of upgraded public facilities and the recognition of “Tourist Buddies”—local guides honored for their bravery and service. With 1.8 million visitors recorded recently, Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira noted that tourism has become a “strong pillar” of the state economy, supported by over 150 active projects and robust private sector participation.