Pioneering Multilingual Helpline Boosts Meghalaya's Tourism Appeal

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has unveiled India’s first multilingual tourism helpline and a newly revamped state tourism website, marking a significant step toward inclusive and sustainable travel. The initiatives, launched on Monday, aim to make exploring Meghalaya easier, safer and more enriching for domestic and international visitors.

The One Connect Meghalaya Tourism Helpline will provide real-time assistance in seven languages — English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Khasi, Pnar and Garo. Operating from 8 am to 8 pm, the service will address travel queries ranging from itineraries and transport options to safety tips and cultural experiences. Officials said the government may consider extending the helpline to 24 hours depending on demand. The upgraded tourism website complements the helpline by offering curated itineraries, accommodation bookings, travel advisories, integrated maps, and even an e-marketplace for authentic local crafts.

Alongside the digital initiatives, Sangma also launched the Meghalaya Homestay Mission 2.0, which offers a 70 per cent subsidy to promote homestays and tackle accommodation shortages. The government aims to create 3,000 new homestays by 2028, generating over 6,000 jobs and an estimated ₹130 crore in community revenue annually. “Instead of building a single Games Village, we are investing in standardised homestays that will support the 2027 National Games and continue to serve tourists thereafter,” Sangma said. The scheme, launched in 2023, has already sanctioned nearly 800 units, with 237 operational.

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Meghalaya is also pushing forward with broader tourism infrastructure, with 210 projects worth ₹3,625 crore currently underway, including ₹260 crore from the Ministry of DoNER for Cherrapunji. Sangma announced plans for eight five-star hotels by 2030 and said the proposed Umroi Airport expansion by 2027 will be a “major game changer” for connectivity. Highlighting the state’s rise as a global music hub, he noted that a ₹23.5 crore investment in the “concert economy” generated over ₹133 crore in returns.

Community empowerment remains central to the vision, with schemes supporting local tourism infrastructure and high-value travel vehicles. “Tourism is about empowering both our people and our visitors,” said Tourism Secretary Vijay Kumar D.

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