By Lalkholen Kipgen
Meghalaya – renowned for its picturesque landscapes and distinctive social and topographical set up has become a magnet for adventure enthusiasts from across India and beyond. Often called the “Abode of Clouds,” the state offers enthralling vistas, countless caves, lofty waterfalls and peaks, and unique tabletop plateaus cloaked in thick forest canopies that shelter a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It is also home to distinct tribes such as the Khasis, Garos, and Pnars, the only matrilineal society in the region, an aspect that adds a unique cultural dimension for visitors.
Dotted with more than 100 tourist destinations, Meghalaya caters to niche interests ranging from adventure activities to immersive rural experiences. Its signature draws include Mawlynnong the “cleanest village,” the living root bridges, Nongkhnum Island, and the Meghalaya Age Cave, which features on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.
Tourism as a Growth Driver
Tourism drive in Meghalaya has surged over the years. In 2024, the state recorded about 16 lakh visitors, a 33 percent jump from the pre-COVID figure of 12 lakh. The government expects footfall to touch 20 lakhs in 2025, buoyed by an ambitious year-long calendar of music and adventure events. Tourism is now considered a key economic driver and the state’s second-largest employer, providing direct jobs to more than 50,000 people.
A major catalyst of this spike is Meghalaya’s flagship “festival tourism.” Events such as the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival have become national( even international) attractions. In November 2024, the Cherry Blossom Music Festival drew more than 50,000 attendees each day, a staggering footfall for a two-day event. By leveraging cultural assets such as music, art, cuisine and natural beauty, the state’s “concert economy” is paying off. Recent figures indicate that a public investment of ₹23.5 crore in events generated ₹133.5 crore in economic impact, with festivals contributing nearly 5 percent of annual tourist footfall. The spillover benefits were captured by communities and hospitality providers during the festive season. Meghalaya’s soft power ie. its music and cultural festivals are clearly driving hard economics, lifting arrivals and lengthening stays.
The Cross-Border Windfall
Amid this celebratory upswing, a curious anomaly has emerged: a significant slice of tourism revenue is spilling across the border and enriching Meghalaya’s immediate neighbour. The reason lies in persistent connectivity bottlenecks that savvy operators next door have been quick to exploit.
The Connectivity Conundrum: Despite its enormous potential, Meghalaya lacks robust air and no rail connectivity, forcing most visitors to enter via Assam. Shillong’s lone airport at Umroi has limited direct flights. There is no railway line to Shillong; the nearest major railhead and the nearest international airport are in Guwahati. In effect, Guwahati is Meghalaya’s gateway. Tourists typically fly into Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport or arrive at Guwahati Junction, then continue by road into the hills. This default route shows Meghalaya’s record footfall first lands in Assam and therein lies the rub.
Once travellers disembark in Assam, immediate logistics, taxis, tour arrangements are often handled by Assam-based operators. Improved highways have eased the onward journey, but the absence of direct links into Meghalaya gives Assam an outsized advantage as the transit hub. The result is economic leakage: a large share of tourist spending on transport and transit accommodation accrues to Assam rather than Meghalaya. A typical family flying into Guwahati will hire an Assam-registered taxi for the airport-to-Shillong trip and back, paying substantial fares that never reach Meghalaya’s drivers. With 16–20 lakh tourists expected annually, this translates into crores of rupees flowing to Assam’s transport sector. Meanwhile, Meghalaya’s transport infrastructure has not kept pace with tourism growth. New homestays and hotels are coming up but getting visitors into the state still depends heavily on Assam’s facilities.
Plugging the Leaks
How can Meghalaya retain more of the value created by its tourism boom? A holistic, pragmatic approach is needed—one that improves connectivity while empowering local transport services. The following measures would help:
* Enhance interstate transport cooperation. In the interim, negotiate arrangements at entry points to share tourist traffic more fairly. For example, set up official Meghalaya Tourism taxi counters at Guwahati Airport and railway station so visitors can opt for Meghalaya-registered cabs or shuttle buses. Coordination with Assam authorities and taxi unions will be essential but would ensure a fairer share for Meghalaya’s drivers even on Assam soil.
* Accelerate direct connectivity. Fast-track the expansion of Shillong (Umroi) Airport and explore a greenfield airport within the state. Longer runways and more direct flights from major metro cities would let tourists fly straight into Shillong. Likewise, resolve the long-pending rail link from Guwahati to Shillong (via Byrnihat). Concerns about migration can be addressed through protective regulations; improved physical connectivity is non-negotiable if Meghalaya wants to capture the full value of its tourist traffic.
* Increase local transport capacity. Incentivize more locals to operate tourist transport. Offer subsidies or easy loans for premium tourist taxis and vans, and organize the fleet through an official booking website to enable advance reservations. A steady addition of 50–100 taxis a year, backed by entrepreneurial support, would gradually reduce reliance on outside vehicles.
* Leverage technology and integration. Partner with travel portals so visitors heading to Shillong can pre-book Meghalaya-based cabs and tours. A government-endorsed app or website that allows a traveller in Delhi to book a Shillong operator for pickup at Guwahati Airport would keep more business local. Ensure Meghalaya operators are present on major aggregators.
None of these steps should foster hostility toward out-of-state taxis. The goal is to empower Meghalaya’s workforce to participate fully in the boom. Tourism can be a rising tide for the Northeast but so far Meghalaya’s tide is lifting more of its neighbour’s boats. The solution is not to sink those boats, but to launch more Meghalaya boats.
Conclusion
Meghalaya’s tourism surge shows that even remote states can become major destinations with the right vision. But booming footfall does not automatically translate into optimal local benefit. Without supportive infrastructure and policies, economic gains can slip to the nearest transit hub. As the state gears up for even higher arrivals, it must urgently address the gaps that allow its “hills of plenty” to be tapped sub-optimally.
Recent moves such as increasing homestay subsidies and training “tourist buddies” are commendable. Equally crucial, however, are the less glamorous investments: airports, rail lines, bus terminals, taxi stands, and better inter-departmental coordination and regulation. These will facilitate inflow, prevent economic spillage, and generate employment for local communities.
Ultimately, tourism should be a tool for sustainable development of the host community. Meghalaya’s aim should be that every visitor who marvels at its waterfalls, living root bridges or music festivals leaves behind more than footprints a tangible economic footprint in the state itself. With pragmatic connectivity upgrades and cooperative regional policies, the Northeast can turn a tourist boom into a boon for local livelihoods. Meghalaya’s hills are alive with opportunity; it’s time to ensure prosperity echoes through its own valleys, not just across the border.
References: 1. Meghalaya budget | Budget boost for Meghalaya tourism, subsidy for homestay entrepreneurs to increase – Telegraph India(https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/budget-boost-for-meghalaya-tourism-subsidy-for-homestay-entrepreneurs-to-increase-prnt/cid/2087294)
2. US travel advisory linking Meghalaya with terrorism ‘incorrect’, says CM Conrad Sangma | Latest News India – Hindustan Times (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/us-travel-advisory-linking-meghalaya-with-terrorism-incorrect-says-cm-conrad-sangma-101750771833386.html)
3. Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 concludes on a high, sets record for visitors – The Economic Times (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/shillong-cherry-blossom-festival-2024-concludes-on-a-high-sets-record-for-visitors/articleshow/115375757.cms?from=mdr)
4. Meghalaya Unveils Visionary “Concert Economy” with Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 – tourismindiaonline.com(https://tourismindiaonline.com/meghalaya-unveils-visionary-concert-economy-with-cherry-blossom-festival-2025-featuring-jason-derulo-and-the-script/
5. EaseMyTrip bookings to Northeast region doubled over the past year; Rikant Pittie meets Conrad Sangma, Pradyot Manikya – The Tribune(https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/easemytrip-bookings-to-northeast-region-doubled-over-the-past-year-rikant-pittie-meets-conrad-sangma-pradyot-manikya/)
6. Meghalaya Faces Huge Gap Between Demand and Supply of Vehicles Despite Significant Increase in Tourist (https://ukhrultimes.com/meghalaya-faces-huge-gap-between-demand-and-supply-of-vehicles-despite-significant-increase-in-tourist/)
7. Plight of taxi drivers: How can it be solved? | The Shillong Times(https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/12/18/plight-of-taxi-drivers-how-can-it-be-solved/)
8. Tourism in Nagaland: A one-month wonder? | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com(https://www.morungexpress.com/tourism-in-nagaland-a-one-month-wonder)
9. Kohima Chiethu Airport – Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohima_Chiethu_Airport)
(The writer is Senior Research Associate and Project Coordinator, North-East, Pahle India Foundation)
