Meghalaya tourism development and sustainability initiatives

The state of Meghalaya is advancing several initiatives to modernize and sustain its tourism sector. Initially, the government focused on infrastructure and digital integration, approving the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Society (MITS) to create a unified online platform for booking buses, taxis, and helicopters. This effort included plans for a dedicated civil aviation wing to support the expansion of Shillong Airport and the establishment of the Umling Facilitation Centre to guide visitors.

Following these technological and infrastructural developments, the state has transitioned toward a broader strategic model centered on sustainability and community leadership. Under the State’s Tourism Policy 2023, Meghalaya is adopting a ‘high-value, low-volume’ approach that prioritizes ecological preservation and zero-waste management.

Economic growth has been a key driver, with tourism-linked livelihoods increasing from 50,000 in 2022 to over 75,000 in 2025. A central component of this community-led strategy is the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission, which has disbursed over ₹120 crore to support local hospitality enterprises and aims to create thousands of jobs through the expansion of local homestays.

By September 2026, Meghalaya’s efforts have been recognized as part of a broader national context. The state continues to implement its community-led, climate-resilient model, which remains a key regional example of the ‘high-value, low-volume’ tourism strategy as India pursues wider national goals for digital tourism and sustainable destination management.