In a game-changing push to elevate Meghalaya’s position as a premier luxury and eco-tourism destination, the state government is moving ahead with an ambitious infrastructure overhaul, including five-star resorts, unique glamping experiences, and improved air connectivity. MDA 2 spokesperson and Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh informed that a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma which was also attended by Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, focused on unlocking Meghalaya’s tourism potential through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models and capital subsidies.
“The state Government in its continuous attempt to improve the tourism infrastructure in the state, we had a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma where I was also present and we took up discussion on several initiatives in the tourism sector. I am glad to inform you that we are making significant strides and we are entering into a PPP mode in several new initiatives. One such initiative which has reached very advanced stage is the construction of a five-star luxury resort at Sohra. This work is being, we are completing the financial bids on the 11th of this month,” said Lyngdoh.
He further revealed Meghalaya is set to embrace a unique tourism model with the introduction of glamping sites — luxury camping experiences new to the state. “We are also starting something unique and new to Meghalaya which is glamping sites. We have identified plots at Sohra and at Umiam, and we will be able to see that these glamping sites are also taken up within this current financial year,” he said.
The minister disclosed a major land transfer by the Department of Forests and Environment, which will allow for the expansion of a flagship five-star resort at Umiam. “Umiam, as I had briefed you earlier with the department of forests and environment handing over and transferring close to 300 acres of land, we will now be able to expand a flagship program for five-star resort at Umiam which will be of global scale and pride Meghalaya’s tourism. We are integrating the 36.78 acre island, which was part of the Umiam Lake and was earlier being run by one private entrepreneur. Now, this has also been settled. So, we will now have 35 acres of mainland plus 36.78 acres of island to be part of the integrated flagship five-star resort. We will initiate the tendering process at the earliest.”
In the Garo Hills region, Tura is also witnessing a luxury upgrade. “In the Garo Hills sector, town of Tura has one hotel by the name Polo Orchid and we are going to redevelop the project and scale up the project whereby we are projecting that there will be increase in footfalls with over 100 rooms as part of the newly rejuvenated Hotel Polo Orchid at Tura.”
These initiatives, Lyngdoh emphasized, are supported by capital subsidies and tax incentives under the Meghalaya Industrial Promotion Policy (MIPP) and the Northeast Industrial Policy, reinforcing the state’s strategy of “high value, low volume tourism.”
Detailing the Sohra project further, he said, “The five-star hotel will be close to what we now have the Jiva Resort. Next to that, we have roughly about 25 acres of land belonging to the Department of Tourism, out of which 5 acres has been allocated for the construction of this luxury resort. The land is MTDC property. The bidders in Sohra we have Hills and Canyon Hotels Private Limited, which is high end of the brand of the Holiday Inn Express which is hotel brand owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts. So it’s a high-end.”
On inter-regional connectivity, Lyngdoh added that the helicopter link between Shillong and Tura is being revived. “We have also taken this up at the meeting and we have decided to strengthen the links between the state capital Shillong and Tura. And we expect that by the end of 2026, the work for the expansion of the Shillong airport will be completed, and we will then relaunch the Shillong-Tura helicopter service on a daily basis.”
He also addressed concerns over the Baljek Airport near Tura, which is under the purview of the Transport Department. “We will try to get the airport completed and also we will look at the immediate connection between Guwahati, Tura, Shillong,” he said. On allegations of the airport being used for festivals, he clarified, “This matter is with the Transport Department. However, in the meeting we have expressed our keen interest to redevelop the airport and to ensure that it serves the purpose for which it was originally created. So this is why I can assure you that we are looking at the end of 2026 when the expansion of the Shillong airport will be completed that we will have daily flights from Shillong to Tura and then Tura to Guwahati.”
With luxury, innovation, and connectivity at its core, the Meghalaya government’s strategic tourism vision is poised to put the state on the global map of high-end eco-tourism, while simultaneously boosting local economies and creating sustainable employment.
