Shillong, May 29: Meghalaya is rapidly expanding its homestay network as growing tourist footfall continues to increase pressure on accommodation facilities across the state, with the government positioning community-based tourism as a major source of employment and rural income generation.
The expansion comes against the backdrop of sustained growth in Meghalaya’s tourism sector. Tourist arrivals in the state have risen from nearly 12 lakh in 2018 to over 16 lakh in recent years, while the government has set a target of attracting 21 lakh visitors by 2028. The state’s increasing popularity has also been reflected in national travel trends, with Shillong emerging as India’s most-searched travel destination in Skyscanner’s 2025 report.
Meghalaya’s tourism potential was further highlighted in a recent NITI Aayog report, which identified the state as one of the few destinations in India without a clearly defined off-season. The report pointed to attractions such as living root bridges, extensive cave systems and indigenous cultural traditions as key reasons behind Meghalaya’s emergence as a year-round tourism destination.
Officials said the steady rise in visitor numbers exposed accommodation shortages in several tourism hotspots. Instead of relying solely on large-scale hotel infrastructure, the state government decided to promote homestays to simultaneously expand lodging capacity and generate income opportunities for local communities.
Under the Meghalaya Tourism Homestay Scheme launched in 2023 in convergence with the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), beneficiaries receive financial assistance covering up to 70 per cent of projects costing up to ₹10 lakh. Government figures show that 900 applications were sanctioned under the scheme, resulting in the establishment of more than 490 operational homestays, creation of nearly 1,000 rooms and around 1,500 livelihood opportunities.
Building on this initiative, the government launched the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission in September 2025. The mission aims to establish 3,000 additional homestays and create 15,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2028. Officials said 80 applications have already been approved across all 10 districts of the state.
Beneficiaries of the scheme have credited the initiative with helping them enter the tourism industry. Ri Bhoi resident Daminot Kharshandi said the financial support provided under the programme enabled him to start and expand his business successfully. He added that the state’s tourism promotion efforts had significantly increased visitor footfall and revenue generation.
Another beneficiary, Donny Esmond Rapsang, established Friendship Homestay at Umden Umsaitprah in Umroi after receiving financial assistance of more than ₹9 lakh. Construction began in 2023, the homestay was completed in 2024 and started operations in 2025. Besides supporting his family, the venture has also created employment opportunities for local youth.
The state government is also planning to utilise the homestay network during the 39th National Games in 2027. Instead of constructing conventional Games Villages, Meghalaya intends to accommodate visitors through homestays so that tourism-related revenue directly benefits local communities while simultaneously increasing accommodation capacity across the state.
