900 homestays in state, 2,100 more to be sanctioned
Shillong, May 30: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday offered a glimpse into the state’s broader strategy of promoting tourism-related livelihoods with on-ground feedback from the stakeholders.
He made an effort to build a wider connection with the stakeholders through a “Facebook live” post from Smit, one of Meghalaya’s most picturesque and culturally significant villages known for its rich heritage and tourism potential.
During the post, the Chief Minister spoke about initiatives on linking tourism, entrepreneurship, skills development and community participation, while also providing an opportunity for direct engagement with residents and local businesses.
The initiative bears significance in the wake of the state government working on its target of creating 3,000 homestays across the state.
During his visit to Smit, Sangma spent time interacting with residents, tourists and local entrepreneurs at the village market, including the owner of an RC Homestay.
He later visited the homestay and interacted with the host family about their experiences, challenges and aspirations.
Amid discussions on tourism and local enterprise, residents also raised concerns relating to garbage collection, street lighting and littering in the area.
The Chief Minister assured those present that the relevant departments would be apprised of the issues.
The visit formed part of the government’s efforts to engage directly with citizens and obtain firsthand feedback from communities benefiting from tourism and government-supported livelihood initiatives.
Over tea and local delicacies at a roadside stall, Sangma encouraged tourists to explore Meghalaya’s natural beauty, culture and hospitality.
“There is a need to connect with people at the grassroots level. A public representative cannot truly understand the lives and concerns of the people without staying close to the community,” he said.
Thanking the government for financial assistance and support received through various schemes, the homestay owner explained how such assistance had enabled the family to establish and expand the business.
Appreciating the progress made, the Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs.
“Homestays are a very important and critical part of our tourism sector. Through homestays, we ensure that the benefits of tourism directly reach local families and communities,” he said.
Tourism remained the central theme of the interaction, with Sangma stating that Meghalaya currently has nearly 900 operational homestays, while another 2,100 are expected to be sanctioned in the near future.
The government is working towards creating a network of approximately 3,000 homestays across the state within the next 12 to 18 months.
Highlighting the growth in tourist arrivals over recent years, the Chief Minister noted that Meghalaya is increasingly positioning itself among India’s most sought-after travel destinations.
He emphasized that tourism remains one of the state’s most promising economic sectors and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that local communities remain the primary beneficiaries of this growth.
The conversation also touched upon skills and employment generation.
The Skills Meghalaya programme has benefited nearly 30,000 youth through various training initiatives, including around 2,000 who have received training in tourism and hospitality.
Under the programme, the government aims to train 1.2 lakh youth, including 5,000 specifically for tourism-related skills.
He also highlighted support extended through the PRIME and CM Elevate schemes, under which around 200 vehicles have been financed to create transport-linked livelihoods, while 52 students have received financial assistance to pursue professional hospitality education at IIHM and equivalent institutions.
The discussion later turned to sports and tourism after Meghalaya formally signed the Host State Agreement with the Indian Olympic Association earlier in the day for the 39th National Games, which the state will host in 2027.
“The National Games are not just a sporting event. They create opportunities for tourism, culture, hospitality and economic growth. A significant portion of the accommodation requirements for the Games will be met through our homestay network. Sports can become a major source of livelihood and a vibrant economic sector for our youth,” he said.
The interaction from Smit also formed part of the CM Connect initiative, which seeks to strengthen direct communication between citizens and the government through both physical outreach and digital platforms.
By taking conversations directly to communities and enabling real-time engagement with people across the state, the initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to transparent, responsive and participatory governance.
