Shillong, Sept 29: Even as around 210 tourism infrastructure projects worth around Rs 3,625 crore are being implemented throughout Meghalaya, the state still runs short of accommodation facilities for tourists, chief minister Conrad Sangma said on Monday.
In his address at the World Tourism Day celebration here, the chief minister highlighted the huge shortage of rooms as against the demand, necessitating the need for pushing homestays on a mission mode.
Referring to homestays being built under Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission, he said, “These homestays will serve as accommodation for athletes during the National Games 2027 in Meghalaya and after the Games, they will cater to the needs of the tourists.”
Sangma also said this model will do away with the need for creating a Games Village that often leads to legacy issues after the Games.
The Government of India through DoNER has sanctioned an additional amount of Rs 260 Crs under PM-DevINE for the development of tourism in Sohra and adjoining areas, he said.
Underlining the transformation brought by his government in the tourism sector in the past few years, he said, “We have realized the immense opportunities in this sector in terms of employment generation… and we have finally started to see the impact of the steps taken to improve the overall tourism ecosystem in the state.
He noted that in 2024 the state had a footfall of 16 lakh domestic tourists and 2.3 lakh international tourists.
“These numbers are a testament of the changes we are seeing in the tourism sector and the growth is very consistent and sustainable the outcome of planned policies and strategies put in place,” he said.
On the potential of employment generation in the tourism sector the Chief Minister informed that about 50,000 people are directly or indirectly employed and the target of the government is to create another 50,000 jobs.
Terming connectivity a major factor of tourism growth, Sangma said by early 2027 extension of the Umroi Airport will be complete facilitating landing of bigger aircraft from different cities of the country.
He also elucidated the projects that are in the pipeline to improve the tourism ecosystem in Meghalaya to be able to absorb the inflow of tourists in future.
The Chief Minister also spoke at length about the concept of concert economy that the Prime Minister often refers to stating, “This is a concept that we have been practising for a very long time….”
The government has spent Rs 23.5 crore in 2024-25 but the revenue generated in the economy was Rs 133.43 crore, he said.
“We have been able to brand ourselves as the destination where the world-renowned artists themselves want to perform in Shillong and this is something that adds to our economy,” he added.
Significantly, the Chief Minister said all the efforts of creating an ecosystem for ensuring that tourism in the state thrives and prospers will be meaningless if the tourists do not have happy, memorable, safe, secure and positive experience.
“It is the responsibility of every stakeholder to ensure that every person who visits our state leaves with pleasant experiences,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister launched the Meghalaya Tourism Helpline Number 1800-599-2026 the first of its kind in India.
The helpline is available in seven languages offering safety, convenience and reliable information operating daily from 8 AM to 8 PM.
This initiative will strengthen the image of Meghalaya as a safe, inclusive and tourist-friendly destination. The revamped Meghalaya Tourism website was also launched replacing the old platform.
The user-friendly website includes suggested itineraries, travel tips, booking hotels, homestays, transport, festival calendars, purchase suggestions etc.
The Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission document was also launched. The Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission offers a 70% subsidy.
The Mission is being launched with the aim to build 3,000 homestays, adding 6,000 rooms which will meet the projected shortfall by 2028. It will also support existing homestays through asset upgrades.
Entrepreneurs who have not previously availed the Meghalaya Homestay Scheme will be eligible for a grant of up to Rs 2 lakh.
Further it is to note that this is a family-based scheme, allowing one member per family to apply either for new homestay development or upgradation.
The Mission will also continue building skilled entrepreneurs, supported by MSSDS, FCI Tura, and IHM Shillong.
Under the previous scheme, over 600 homestay owners were trained through the Entrepreneurship Development Program for smooth operations.
Under the Meghalaya PRIME Tourism Vehicle Scheme, the Chief Minister also flagged off 10 more vehicles for the next set of successful applicants.
The Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme recipients were also felicitated by the Chief Minister.
Also the Outlook Magazine’s Responsible Tourism Awards were presented during the occasion.
These awards were given for sustainable Leadership in Homestays, B&B & Guest Houses, Travel Enterprises, Musical Enterprises, Food, Nature Conservation, Cultural Ambassadors and the Overall Outlook Responsible Tourism Award was given to Living Bridge Foundation.
