Shillong, May 6: Meghalaya is positioning itself for a major leap in the tourism sector with a focus on global-standard infrastructure, community participation, and large-scale investments, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Wednesday, outlining an ambitious roadmap aimed at transforming the state into a premier international destination over the next few years.
Addressing the “Empowerment of Tourism Champions of Meghalaya” programme at Orchid Lake, Umiam, the Chief Minister underscored that tourism growth in the state hinges on a collaborative ecosystem involving government, private stakeholders, and local communities, even as he pointed to a series of ongoing and upcoming projects expected to reshape the sector.
“Is to ensure that global projects iconic projects come up in Meghalaya, when large resorts comes in here it makes Meghalaya one of the premier destination for tourists to come and visit Meghalaya. We would like to see Meghalaya comes in global map,” he said.
The Chief Minister indicated that the state is on the cusp of a visible transformation, driven by multiple infrastructure and tourism initiatives currently underway. “Many many tourism projects are being implemented in the next two to three years there will be a massive transformation that is going to take place in the tourism sector, projects like Shillong ropeway, skywalk, rain museum at Mawsynram,” he said.
Highlighting the trajectory of growth, he added, “In the last eight years massive change has taken place in the tourism sector alone.”
Framing tourism as an ecosystem rather than a standalone sector, he stressed that isolated efforts by individual stakeholders would not yield sustained results. Tourism, he said, must be supported by connectivity, infrastructure, safety, and quality visitor experiences to remain competitive.
He further emphasised that the state’s long-term vision goes beyond promotional events and hospitality infrastructure, focusing instead on creating a compelling destination identity that naturally figures in travellers’ choices.
The event, organised by the Tourism Department, brought together a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, artisans, students, and community representatives, reflecting the government’s emphasis on inclusive and community-driven tourism development.
Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira described the initiative as part of a broader structural shift in the sector, noting a sharp rise in tourist footfall, with provisional estimates touching nearly 18 lakh visitors in 2025. He said tourism has evolved into a key pillar of the state’s economy, supported by over 150 ongoing projects and significant public and private investment.
The programme also highlighted efforts to build institutional frameworks such as a dedicated Destination Management Organization to ensure professional planning, coordination, and sustainable growth.
In a major boost to connectivity, the Chief Minister announced that runway expansion work at Shillong Airport has been awarded and is expected to be completed within 15 months, enabling operations of larger aircraft—an intervention he described as a potential “game changer” for tourism.
The government also used the platform to roll out multiple initiatives, including expansion of homestay schemes, community-led infrastructure development, and upgrading of public amenities at tourist sites, alongside recognition of beneficiaries and stakeholders contributing to the sector’s growth.
With a combination of flagship projects, grassroots participation, and infrastructure expansion, Meghalaya is seeking to transition from a regional attraction to a globally competitive tourism destination, signalling a decisive shift in its development strategy.
