Shillong: Meghalaya is going ahead with its crusade to promote "responsible travel practices" to minimize the environmental impact while supporting local communities. This theme was a key feature of the latest budget announced by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma last week.

Meghalaya, through its new tourism model, is creating avenues and tourism products for tourists who can spend more and stay for longer durations. The Northeast Indian state aims to promote homestays, better tourism infrastructure, community-based accommodation and amenities in less developed circuits, and more visits to wildlife and natural habitats.

The state's homestay scheme is providing up to 70% subsidy for building new homestays costing about Rs 10 lakh. About 550 projects have been sanctioned in the last two years, Sangma recently stated during the budget session, adding that the target is to build another 2,000 homestays by 2028.

An amount of Rs 5 crore has been allocated for the Meghalaya Homestay Scheme for 2024-25. At the same time, the construction of tourism villas is also being subsidized at 35% under the CM-ELEVATE program.

Further, the chief minister stated that communities managing tourist sites will be provided grants of up to Rs 25 lakh for infrastructure development and management of sites. The Meghalaya government is also aiming to establish proper air connectivity by adding more direct flights from Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai.

Tourism infrastructure development is also being prioritized by the construction of iconic projects like the Shillong Peak ropeway and Mawkdok skywalk - these will be started in the next financial year. To meet rising demands for accommodations, new hotels will be built at Shillong, New Shillong, Umiam, Sohra, and Tura with private sector investment of approximately Rs 1,000 crore, Sangma stated.

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