Umiam (Meghalaya)

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday announced that the Centre has given its nod to the runway expansion work at Shillong airport, describing the project as a major boost for tourism and connectivity in the state.

Addressing the Empowerment of Tourism Champions of Meghalaya event at Orchid Lake in Umiam, Sangma said the project is expected to be completed within around 15 months and would enable larger aircraft to operate.

"This will be a game-changer for tourism in Meghalaya," the chief minister said.

He said improved connectivity was essential for strengthening the state's position as a leading tourist destination and attracting more visitors from across the country and abroad.

Organised by the tourism department, the programme brought together tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs, artisans, students, community leaders and beneficiaries from different parts of the state.

Sangma said tourism can succeed only when every stakeholder works together as part of a larger ecosystem.

"Tourism cannot succeed through the efforts of the government alone, nor through the efforts of individual hotel owners, taxi operators, restaurant owners or other stakeholders working in isolation. Tourism thrives only when every stakeholder plays their part," he said.

Describing the programme as an important milestone in Meghalaya's tourism journey, the chief minister congratulated the tourism department, entrepreneurs and tourism stakeholders for their role in placing the state firmly on the national tourism map and increasingly on the global tourism landscape.

Emphasising the government's long-term vision, Sangma said tourism was not merely about organising events or constructing hotels, but about creating a complete ecosystem that inspires travellers to choose Meghalaya.

"When a family sits together and decides where they want to travel, Meghalaya must be visible. Meghalaya must be attractive. Meghalaya must be a destination that naturally comes to mind," he said.

The chief minister said tourists also consider infrastructure, connectivity, safety, comfort and overall experience before selecting destinations.

"Our goal is simple: every tourist who visits Meghalaya should leave with memories of a lifetime," he said.

Highlighting the state's tourism roadmap, Sangma said several major projects are currently underway, including the Shillong Ropeway, Mawkdok Skywalk, Rain Museum in Mawsynram, Living Root Bridge Museum, and tourism centres in Sohra, Mandalgre and Siju.

Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira said tourism has emerged as one of the strongest pillars of Meghalaya's economy, with provisional figures indicating nearly 18 lakh tourist arrivals in 2025.

"When tourism was identified as a priority sector, the vision was to make it a strong driver of economic growth and a meaningful source of livelihood for the people," he said.

Shira said over 150 tourism projects are currently being implemented across the state with investments worth thousands of crores, alongside growing participation from the private sector.

He said Meghalaya was now working towards developing Umiam as a global tourism destination and had established a dedicated Destination Management Organisation for professional destination planning and sustainable tourism management.

"We are not only creating destinations, we are building systems that will support tourism growth for generations to come," he said.

During the programme, the chief minister announced new beneficiaries under the Chief Minister's Meghalaya Homestay Mission and recognised successful beneficiaries under the Chief Minister's Homestay Scheme-PMEGP.

Launched in September 2025, the mission aims to create 3,000 new homestays by 2028 and generate over 15,000 employment opportunities across the state.

Officials said 80 homestay applications have so far been approved, with 55 beneficiaries from Khasi, Jaintia and Ri-Bhoi regions receiving financial assistance amounting to Rs 3.85 crore.

Sanction letters were also distributed under the Community-Led Infrastructure Scheme to support villages, cooperatives and tourism societies in developing tourism infrastructure.

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The programme also featured presentations on Meghalaya's participation at the Surajkund International Crafts Mela and exposure visits of tourism stakeholders from Sohra to Ekta Nagar.

A bravery award was presented by the chief minister to Teiborlang Pakma for rescuing a drowning person at Ward's Lake.