CM Conrad K Sangma Unveils Initiatives to Put Meghalaya on the Map for Inclusive, Sustainable Travel

In the spirit of World Tourism Day 2025 and its focus on inclusive and sustainable tourism, Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, unveiled the OneConnect Meghalaya Tourism Helpline and the new Meghalaya Tourism website. The revamped site is a one-click gateway, serving as a unified platform for travellers’ needs.

These launches, together with the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission Scheme and the Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme, position Meghalaya as a hub of responsible travel, offering authentic, human-centred experiences for every visitor.

In his keynote address, CM Sangma outlined a comprehensive vision for Meghalaya’s tourism sector, emphasising it as a top priority over the last seven and a half years. He highlighted strong results, with domestic tourist arrivals rising to 1.6 million and a clear target to create 50,000 new jobs within the next three years. This growth is backed by a substantial infrastructure push, with 210 ongoing projects valued at ₹3,625 crore and a recent sanction of a further Rs 260 crore from the DoNER Ministry specifically for developing the Sohra (Cherrapunji) destination. The centrepiece of his strategy is the new Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission, designed to address a critical accommodation shortage.

He announced a ground-breaking plan to use these homestays for the upcoming National Games, quoting his rationale, “It is better that we invest our money into standardised homestays, which will then act as Games Village (rather than having one game-village) and after the games are over, these will be run as homestays and serve the tourists”.

The mission is complemented by a robust pipeline of high-end hotels, with a target of eight five-star hotels by 2030, including one in Tura, and the expansion of Umroi Airport by 2027, which he termed a “major game changer” for enabling direct flights from major cities. He also spoke about the “concert economy,” revealing that a government spend of Rs 23.5 crore yielded a 5.6 times return of over Rs 133 crore, and has successfully branded Shillong as a premier global music destination.

The Chief Minister noted the need to create the right environment. He concluded with a direct appeal to stakeholders to utilise the Homestay scheme, with its unprecedented 70 per cent subsidy funded by the State Government, and for existing owners to register to receive an additional Rs 50,000 incentive.

Sangma stated, “We must ensure a sense of environmental responsibility and create a welcoming atmosphere for tourists,” focusing on both behavioural and safety aspects of tourism.

The OneConnect Meghalaya Tourism Helpline marks a pioneering leap in travel assistance, the country’s first multilingual service tailored exclusively for tourists. Available daily, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., it provides guidance on safety, logistics, and hidden gems. Contact via toll-free number (1800-599-2026), WhatsApp and SMS (+91 76400 03050), or email [email protected]. Supporting English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Khasi, Pnar, and Garo, the helpline promotes true inclusivity, ensuring every guest feels seen, heard, and empowered in their language of choice.

Since its inception in 2023, the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Scheme has flourished, with nearly 800 homestays approved and investment nearing Rs 100 crore. Today, 237 are fully operational, broadening accommodation options while creating over 1,600 direct jobs statewide. Notably, the CM flagged off new vehicles under the PRIME Tourism Vehicle Scheme.

In his opening remarks, Dr Vijay Kumar D, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Tourism, stated, “Tourism is about empowering stakeholders on both sides. On one side, our own stakeholders in the state; on the demand side, the clientele who are coming into our state. All the initiatives we are taking are designed to empower these two sets of stakeholders.”

In a significant move to boost community involvement, CM honoured recipients of the Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme with Rs 10 lakh each. The Government of Meghalaya pledges up to Rs 25 lakh in financial aid per project to bolster vital infrastructure, from pathways to viewing decks. Grassroots organisations play a vital role in harnessing Meghalaya’s tourism potential. Currently, there are more than 47 registered cooperative societies affiliated with the Meghalaya Rural Tourism Cooperative Federation Ltd. In addition, several tourism societies operate under various district administrations, further contributing to the region’s tourism development.