Shillong: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma on 29 September launched the OneConnect tourism helpline and a redesigned tourism website, alongside two major schemes aimed at inclusive and sustainable travel, the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission Scheme and a community-led tourism infrastructure initiative.
According to an official statement, these launches highlight Meghalaya’s ambition to establish itself as a hub for responsible and people-centric tourism. Sangma noted that the state has already witnessed steady progress, with domestic tourist arrivals rising to 1.6 million and outlined a target of creating 50,000 new jobs in the tourism sector over the next three years.
The government’s push is backed by significant infrastructure investments. Currently, 210 projects worth Rs 3,625 crore are underway, while the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has recently sanctioned an additional Rs 260 crore for the development of Sohra (Cherrapunji) as a key destination. A central focus of the plan is to address Meghalaya’s accommodation shortage.
To meet this challenge, the state is advancing the construction of high-end hospitality facilities, to have eight five-star hotels by 2030, including one in Tura. Additionally, the expansion of Umroi Airport by 2027 is expected to enable direct air connectivity with major cities, further boosting tourist inflows.
By aligning tourism development with community participation, improved connectivity and sustainable practices, Meghalaya aims to deliver authentic experiences to visitors while generating long-term socio-economic benefits for its people.
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