The Meghalaya government has announced massive investments to take the state’s tourism sector to new heights. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday said that 254 projects at a total cost of ₹3,914.51 crore are being implemented for the development of tourism infrastructure in the state. The announcement was made during an event in which the government handed over land near Umiam Lake to the Indian Hotel Company Limited (IHCL) for a five-star hotel project.

Taj Umiam Resort & Spa will be built here by Tata Group unit IHCL at a cost of ₹330 crore. According to officials, this is the largest hospitality investment in Meghalaya so far. The project will be the fourth five-star property in Shillong, where two hotels are already operational and a few more in the pipeline.

Chief Minister Sangma said that the concept of developing Umiam as a tourism center was conceived in the year 1988. “The dream that was envisioned decades ago is now being taken to the next level,” he said. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the presence of the Taj brand will increase employment opportunities for the local people, strengthen local businesses and further strengthen Meghalaya as a premium tourism destination. “This is just the beginning. With strategic investment, community involvement and visionary planning, tourism will remain a key engine of the state’s economy,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that about 16 lakh tourists had come to the state in the year 2024. At present the contribution of tourism in the state’s gross domestic product (GSDP) is 7.7 percent, which is expected to increase to 8.8 percent by 2032. Among the 254 projects the government is working on, 26 experiential tourism projects are also included. Prominent among them are Shillong Ropeway, Mawkdok Skywalk, Meghalayan Cave Experience Center at Mawmluh and Rain and Bamboo Interpretation Center at Mawsynram.

Underlining the strategic importance of the Umiam area, the Chief Minister said that it is located at a distance of 17 kilometers from Shillong and 14 kilometers from Umroi Airport. An amount of more than ₹500 crore has been earmarked for the development of this area. It is being developed as a high-end, low-density tourism center in line with environmental priorities. Along with this, the state government is also promoting community tourism.

Under the Chief Minister Meghalaya Homestay Mission, the government is providing up to 70 percent subsidy for homestay projects. 800 homestays were set up in the first phase, generating 1,600 jobs. Now a target has been set to develop 3,000 homestays by 2028.

The Chief Minister also mentioned the potential of the state’s ‘concert economy’. He said that during 2024-25, 3.86 lakh people reached Meghalaya to participate in seven major events. The public investment of ₹23.5 crore generated economic activity of ₹133.42 crore and created around 5,500 jobs per day, benefiting youth, freelancers, women entrepreneurs and homestay operators.

Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira, GAD and C&RD Minister Sostenes Sohtun and MTDC Chairman Marthan Sangma were also present at the event.

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