Shillong, Sep 26: Meghalaya is flipping its tourism script this World Tourism Day — from chasing numbers to creating livelihoods.
Tourism jobs have shot up from 50,000 in 2022 to over 75,000 in 2025, with footfall hitting 18.55 lakh. The state, with 76% forest cover and 150-plus tourism projects, is now pushing a community-led, climate-resilient, year-round model as it eyes a $16 billion economy.
The formula: high-value, low-volume. Meghalaya’s Tourism Policy 2023 focuses on carrying capacity, right pricing and zero waste, anchored in Khasi, Jaintia and Garo traditions.
Homestays are the backbone — 877 sanctioned, Rs 120 crore disbursed, 6,000 jobs created. Target: 1,000 more in 2026-27 and 3,000 overall. Add to that rural cooperatives, community-run assets and the CM-ELEVATE Prime Tourism Vehicle scheme giving GPS-enabled cabs, credit and training to local youth.
Four global hubs are in the works — Umiam, Sohra, Dawki-Shnongpdeng and Nokrek. On the ground: Rs 233.75 crore Sohra circuit with Nohkalikai Falls and Khasi Heritage Centre, Shillong Peak Ropeway, Mawkdok Skywalk, Mawsynram Rain Museum, Living Root Bridge Museum, Tura Convention Centre and Dawki riverfront, plus Shillong Airport expansion and 5-star hotels via PPP.
Tech is driving it — AI for crowd, traffic and carrying capacity forecast, plus Tourist Buddy locals guiding visitors.
Festivals are stretching the season — http://Me.gong, Cherry Blossom and Literary fests clocked 1.1 lakh footfalls in 2025, the Grassroots Music Programme backed 7,000 artists, and the new Film Tourism Policy 2025 is wooing shoots.
From the eco-built Pine Home at Mawlangwir to the Twahlongwar Open Air Museum at Mawsynram, the message is clear: tourism that protects what it promotes.
