The state has proposed over Rs 162 crore for tourism infrastructure, with four hubs – Umiam, Sohra, Dawki-Shnongpdeng and Nokrek – being developed as global-scale destinations.
Shillong, Sept 26: Meghalaya has aimed at moving beyond tourist volume to build a sustainable, community-led and climate-resilient tourism economy.
Tourism-linked livelihoods in the state has gone up from around 50,000 in 2022 to over 75,000 in 2025 and footfalls reaching nearly 18.55 lakh last year.
On World Tourism Day, the state government revealed the figures while announcing the goals for tourism sector.
The state Tourism Policy 2023 is rooted in traditional land and forest governance of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities.
The policy focuses on high-value, low-volume tourism with emphasis on carrying capacity, right pricing and zero-waste management to extend stay, increase spend and retain value locally.
Community participation is central to the strategy. The government has sanctioned 877 homestay applications with over Rs 120 crore disbursed, creating more than 6,000 jobs, and is targeting 1,000 homestays in 2026-27 as part of a 3,000 homestay vision.
Rural tourism cooperatives and the Community-Led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme are also enabling villages to shape destinations.
The state has proposed over Rs 162 crore for tourism infrastructure, with four hubs – Umiam, Sohra, Dawki-Shnongpdeng and Nokrek – being developed as global-scale destinations.
Major projects include the Rs 233.75 crore PM-DevINE Sohra Tourism Circuit covering Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Eco Park and Khasi Heritage Experiential Centre, along with Shillong Peak Ropeway, Mawkdok Skywalk, Living Root Bridge Museum, Tura Integrated Hospitality and Convention Centre and Umngot riverfront development.
On the technology front, the state government said it is aligning with this year’s World Tourism Day theme of “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism” by using AI to forecast demand, manage crowds and carrying capacity and guide planning, complemented by initiatives like Tourist Buddy and the Prime Tourism Vehicle Scheme under CM-ELEVATE which provides GPS-enabled vehicles and tourism training to local entrepreneurs.
The creative economy push has supported over 7,000 artists through the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme, generating over 6,000 livelihoods, while festivals including the Me’gong Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival and Shillong Literary Festival recorded over 1.1 lakh combined footfalls in 2025.
