SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said that tourism in Meghalaya can succeed only when every stakeholder works together as part of a larger ecosystem.
He made the remark while attending the Empowerment of Tourism Champions of Meghalaya event at Orchid Lake, Umiam.
Organised by the Tourism Department, the programme brought together tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs, artisans, students, community leaders and beneficiaries from across the state.
The event also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen tourism through community-based entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, skill enhancement and livelihood generation.
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Speaking at the event, Sangma described the occasion as an important milestone in Meghalaya’s tourism journey and congratulated the Tourism Department, stakeholders and local entrepreneurs for their collective efforts in placing Meghalaya firmly on the national tourism map and increasingly on the global tourism landscape.
He said 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, adding that despite challenges, Meghalaya has made a strong beginning in building a robust tourism ecosystem.
Emphasising the government’s long-term vision, he said tourism is not just about events, hotels or cultural programmes, but about creating a complete ecosystem that inspires travellers to choose Meghalaya as their destination.
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“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.
He stated that visibility alone is not enough and that tourists also consider infrastructure, connectivity, safety, comfort and the overall quality of experience before choosing a destination. “Our goal is simple, every tourist who visits Meghalaya should leave with memories of a lifetime,” he said.
Drawing from his own travel experiences, the Chief Minister said memorable tourism experiences are often shaped by simple human gestures rather than luxury alone.
Speaking about the government’s investments in tourism branding and infrastructure, he said events, festivals and tourism projects play a crucial role in shaping perceptions and attracting visitors to the state.
Highlighting the state’s tourism roadmap, he said several iconic projects are currently underway, including the Shillong Ropeway, the Mawkdok Skywalk, the Rain Museum in Mawsynram, the Living Root Bridge Museum and tourism centres in Sohra, Mandalgre and Siju.
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He also announced a major development in connectivity, stating that the expansion of Shillong Airport has now moved forward, with runway expansion work officially awarded by the Government of India. He said the project is expected to be completed within approximately 15 months and would allow larger aircraft to operate in Shillong.
“This will be a game changer for tourism in Meghalaya,” he said.
Congratulating beneficiaries and tourism stakeholders, he reiterated that every initiative of the government is designed to create opportunities for the people. “Every programme, every policy and every initiative of this government is designed with one goal, to serve our people,” he said, adding, “Our government is a government that puts people first.”