CM says Shillong airport enlargement shall be a “sport changer” as state targets international tourism development by way of infrastructure, homestays and community-led initiatives.
UMIAM, Could 6: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Ok. Sangma on Tuesday mentioned the state’s tourism ambitions can succeed solely by way of a powerful tourism ecosystem involving communities, entrepreneurs, infrastructure and authorities assist.
Talking on the “Empowerment of Tourism Champions of Meghalaya” occasion at Orchid Lake in Umiam, the Chief Minister mentioned tourism was not restricted to festivals and hospitality alone however had developed right into a key financial driver for the state.
“Tourism thrives solely when each stakeholder performs their half,” Sangma mentioned, including that Meghalaya should turn out to be a vacation spot that “naturally involves thoughts” when households plan journey.
The occasion, organised by the Tourism Division, introduced collectively tourism entrepreneurs, artisans, college students, neighborhood leaders and beneficiaries from throughout Meghalaya, whereas additionally highlighting the federal government’s push in direction of community-based tourism and livelihood technology.
One of many main bulletins on the programme was the progress within the enlargement of Shillong Airport. Sangma mentioned the runway enlargement contract has now been awarded by the Authorities of India and is anticipated to be accomplished inside 15 months, enabling bigger plane to function into Shillong.
“This shall be a sport changer for tourism in Meghalaya,” he mentioned.
The Chief Minister additionally highlighted a number of upcoming tourism infrastructure initiatives, together with the Shillong Ropeway, Mawkdok Skywalk, Rain Museum in Mawsynram, Residing Root Bridge Museum, and tourism centres in Sohra, Mandalgre and Siju.
Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira mentioned Meghalaya recorded almost 18 lakh vacationer visits in 2025, underlining the speedy development of the sector.
“Tourism is not merely about customer arrivals—it has emerged as one of many strongest pillars of our state’s financial system,” he mentioned.
Shira mentioned over 150 tourism initiatives involving investments value hundreds of crores are at present below implementation throughout the state, alongside growing non-public sector participation. He additionally introduced that Meghalaya is working in direction of creating Umiam into a worldwide tourism vacation spot by way of a newly established Vacation spot Administration Organisation.
The federal government additionally used the occasion to announce new beneficiaries below the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission, launched in September 2025 with a goal of making 3,000 homestays and producing over 15,000 jobs by 2028. To this point, 80 homestay purposes have been authorized, with 55 beneficiaries sanctioned monetary help amounting to ₹3.85 crore.
As well as, 58 new beneficiaries obtained assist below the Group-Led Infrastructure Scheme geared toward creating tourism infrastructure in villages and rising locations, whereas the state introduced upgrades of bathroom services at 84 vacationer areas, together with Ward’s Lake, Laitlum Canyons, Krang Suri Falls and Wari Chora.
A beneficiary below the Chief Minister’s Homestay Scheme-PMEGP, Daminot Kharchandi, additionally shared his entrepreneurial journey, stating that the federal government’s preliminary monetary help gave him the boldness to start regardless of having no prior enterprise expertise.
He mentioned what started as a small homestay with three cottages has now grown into Mukhan Resort, with expanded services and additional plans for development.
The programme additionally recognised artisans who participated within the Surajkund Worldwide Crafts Mela, honoured tourism entrepreneurs and college students below varied authorities schemes, and introduced a bravery award to Teiborlang Pakma for rescuing a drowning individual at Ward’s Lake.
Additionally Learn: The cicada that arrives with the World Cup: Meghalaya prepares for uncommon emergence
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