Shillong: Meghalaya has been identified as one of India’s few year-round travel destinations with no clear off-season, according to
NITI Aayog’s April 2026 report, ‘Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India’.
Highlighting the state’s living root bridges, extensive cave systems and indigenous cultural traditions, the report noted: “Meghalaya is no longer a seasonal stop. It is a destination for all seasons”.
The report said travellers increasingly seek authentic human connections alongside scenic experiences. “For years, Meghalaya has offered that warmth, rooted in its rich culture and deep hospitality. Today, that warmth is driving economic growth,” it stated.
Shillong recently topped Skyscanner’s 2025 Report as the most-searched travel destination in India, drawing increased interest under its new tourism identity, ‘Symphony in the Mist’.
Tourist arrivals have risen from roughly 12 lakh in 2018 to over 16 lakh now, with the state targeting 21 lakh by 2028. NITI Aayog flagged a “serious challenge” accompanying the surge, saying demand was outpacing supply, with many high-potential destinations lacking adequate lodging and tourist spending going unrealised.
The state govt moved away from a hotel-heavy approach and positioned homestays as the cornerstone of its tourism strategy, aiming to expand capacity by supporting local households.
In Sept 2023, the govt launched the Meghalaya Tourism Homestay Scheme in convergence with the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme. The scheme offers financial assistance of up to 70% for projects costing up to Rs 10 lakh, including a 35% subsidy under PMEGP and an equal 35% from the state tourism department.
The scheme sanctioned 900 applications. More than 490 homestays have become operational, creating 1,000 rooms and around 1,500 livelihood opportunities.
Building on this, the govt launched the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission in Sept 2025, targeting 3,000 new homestays and 15,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2028. Under the mission, new homestays can receive a subsidy of up to 70%, capped at Rs 7 lakh, while existing homestays can claim an upgradation incentive of up to Rs 2 lakh.
Early uptake has included 80 applications approved across 10 districts, with participation reported from across the state.
Beneficiaries include Daminot Kharshandi from Ri Bhoi district. “The Homestay Scheme gave me the financial confidence to launch my business, which I have successfully expanded. The Meghalaya tourism branding policy has also brought more footfalls and revenue,” he said.
Donny Esmond Rapsang, who runs the Friendship Homestay at Umden Umsaitprah, Umroi, received financial assistance of over Rs 9 lakh under the scheme. He began construction in 2023, completed the homestay in 2024 and opened it to the public in 2025. The homestay now supports his household and has created opportunities for local youth involved in construction and operations.
CM Conrad K. Sangma has said the initiatives are designed to build a broader tourism ecosystem in which homestay owners, local transport providers, food vendors and tourist guides grow together, with smaller homestays treated as vital to spreading tourism income to the grassroots.
The approach is set to be showcased during the 39th National Games in 2027, with Meghalaya planning to house visitors in homestays rather than traditional Games Villages.
“By giving ordinary people, the tools to succeed, the Govt of Meghalaya is building something more enduring — a tourism economy where benefits flow directly to the families who have always been its greatest hosts,” an official statement said.
Follow Us On Social Media