Guwahati: An estimated 15 lakh domestic and foreign tourists (1.5 million tourists) visited Meghalaya in 2023, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said.  This is a significant increase from 2013 when the state hosted around 7 lakh visitors.

The state government, which accords top priority to the tourism sector for livelihood generation, described thjs development as a "big achievement."

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of a mural at the office building of the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Minister Lyngdoh said that Meghalaya has a lot to offer to the rest of the world – "cascading waterfalls, valleys, landscapes, rich tradition and culture and even the sky."

Lyngdoh said that Meghalaya's tourism sector will earn Rs 12,000 crore by 2028, with the annual tourist count projected to reach 20 lakh. "The state government expects 10 percent year-on-year growth of the industry from 2024", said Lyngdoh.

He further described each facet of nature in the state as having a rich history. The caves found in the state are one of the best, he stressed. “If we consider the various assets, all we need to do to script a success story is to coordinate our efforts and work as a team,” asserted Lyngdoh.

Lyngdoh further opined that Meghalaya has reached a point where it is "the next sought-after destination" and if the state continues to sustain itself within the next few years, people will not have to look to the government for employment.

Lately, the Meghalaya government is creating more avenues and tourism products for tourists who can spend more and stay for longer durations. According to the Meghalaya draft tourism policy 2022, the focus is now on high-value tourists as that can lead to more consumption in the state without a proportional adverse impact on the environment. Media reports suggest the number of hotel rooms is too few for a state that hosts such a high number of tourists each year. A proportion of these rooms command a high tariff that only "high-value" tourists can afford, in line with the state government's vision of attracting such visitors.

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