Umiam (Meghalaya), May 6: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said Meghalaya’s tourism push will work only when “every stakeholder plays their part,” calling the sector a full ecosystem that cannot run on government or individual effort alone.
He was speaking at the Empowerment of Tourism Champions of Meghalaya event at Orchid Lake, Umiam, organized by the Tourism Department with entrepreneurs, artisans, students and community leaders in attendance.
Calling it a milestone, Sangma said the goal is to make Meghalaya a destination families choose first. “Meghalaya must be visible. Meghalaya must be attractive. Every tourist should leave with memories of a lifetime,” he said, adding that visibility, safety, connectivity and quality experience matter more than luxury.
He cited iconic projects now underway including the Shillong Ropeway, Mawkdok Skywalk, Rain Museum in Mawsynram, Living Root Bridge Museum, and tourism centres in Sohra, Mandalgre and Siju. The Chief Minister announced that runway expansion at Shillong Airport has been awarded by the Centre and should be completed in about 15 months, allowing larger aircraft. “This will be a game changer for tourism in Meghalaya,” he said.
Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira said provisional figures show nearly 18 lakh visitors in 2025, and over 150 tourism projects worth thousands of crores are being implemented with rising private investment. He said the state is building a dedicated Destination Management Organization and working to develop Umiam as a global tourism destination, so growth reaches villages and remote areas.
New beneficiaries were announced under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission, launched in September 2025 to create 3,000 homestays by 2028 and over 15,000 jobs. So far 80 homestays are approved, with 55 in Khasi, Jaintia and Ri-Bhoi regions sanctioned Rs 3.85 crore. Sanction letters were also given to 58 new beneficiaries under the Community-Led Infrastructure Scheme worth Rs 3.40 crore.
Toilet facilities are being built or upgraded at 84 tourist sites, with 17 major destinations like Living Root Bridges, Ward’s Lake, Laitlum Canyons and Krang Suri Falls covered under a Rs 3.44 crore state plan. IHM Shillong students received certificates under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Hospitality Scholarship Scheme. Till date, 21 students got full course scholarships of Rs 3.67 lakh each and 37 received Rs 32,000 annual stipends.
Homestay beneficiary Daminot Kharchandi said state support helped him grow from three cottages to Mukhan Resort. The Chief Minister also presented a bravery award to Teiborlang Pakma for rescuing a drowning person at Ward’s Lake.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, MLAs Dr Celestine Lyngdoh and Charles Marngar, Tourism Advisor Lambor Malngiang, officials, artisans and stakeholders attended the event, which ended with a vote of thanks by Brenda Lee Pakyntein.
