Shillong (Meghalaya), May 30: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma took his CM Connect outreach to Smit on Saturday, pushing Meghalaya’s plan to scale up to 3,000 homestays in 12–18 months and positioning tourism as a key economic lever for the 39th National Games in 2027.
Broadcasting live from one of the state’s most scenic villages, Sangma engaged residents, tourists and entrepreneurs at the Smit market, including an RC Homestay owner, and later visited the property to hear firsthand about operations and challenges. Garbage collection, street lighting and littering were raised by locals, with the Chief Minister assuring follow-up with the relevant departments.
Meghalaya currently has nearly 900 operational homestays, with another 2,100 set for sanctioning. “Homestays are a very important and critical part of our tourism sector,” Sangma said, stressing that they channel tourism benefits directly to families and communities.
He linked the expansion to skills and jobs, noting that Skills Meghalaya has trained nearly 30,000 youth, including 2,000 in tourism and hospitality, with a goal of 1.2 lakh youth overall and 5,000 in tourism-specific trades. Under PRIME and CM Elevate, around 200 vehicles have been financed for transport-linked livelihoods, and 52 students have received support for hospitality courses at IIHM and equivalent institutions.
With the state set to host the 2027 National Games, Sangma said a significant share of accommodation would come from the homestay network. “The National Games are not just a sporting event. They create opportunities for tourism, culture, hospitality and economic growth. Sports can become a major source of livelihood and a vibrant economic sector for our youth,” he said, adding that connecting at the grassroots is essential for understanding people’s concerns.
