World Tourism Day 2025: Meghalaya’s New Tourism Initiatives

<h3>World Tourism Day 2025: Meghalaya’s New Tourism Initiatives</h3>

<h3>Key Features of the Initiative</h3>
– <strong>Tourism Helpline:</strong> Launch of India’s first multilingual tourism helpline (CM Connect), operating in 7 languages — English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Khasi, Pnar, and Garo. Provides real-time guidance on safety, logistics, and destinations.
– <strong>Meghalaya Homestay Mission:</strong> Focus on utilising homestays during the upcoming National Games and later as permanent tourist facilities. Nearly 800 homestays sanctioned, 237 operational, generating 1,600+ jobs. The state offers a 70% subsidy for new homestays and ₹50,000 incentive for registered existing ones.
– <strong>Tourism Infrastructure Development:</strong> Plan for 8 new 5-star hotels by 2030, expansion of Umroi Airport by 2027, and 210 sanctioned projects worth ₹3,625 crore (including ₹260 crore from DoNER for Sohra).
– <strong>Community Participation:</strong> Launch of Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme (₹10 lakh per project for facilities like pathways, viewing decks). Over 47 cooperative societies registered under the Meghalaya Rural Tourism Cooperative Federation.

<h3>Significance</h3>
– Promotes sustainable and eco-friendly tourism.
– Creates large-scale employment opportunities (target: 50,000 jobs).
– Projects Meghalaya as a global hub of culture, nature, and responsible tourism.

<h3>Statement-Based MCQ</h3>
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the recent tourism initiatives launched by Meghalaya:
1. The CM Connect Tourism Helpline is India’s first multilingual tourism helpline operating in seven languages.
2. Under the Meghalaya Homestay Mission, 100% subsidy is provided by the state government for setting up new homestays.
3. Meghalaya plans to build eight new 5-star hotels by 2030 and expand Umroi Airport by 2027.
4. The Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme provides up to ₹25 lakh for facilities like pathways and viewing decks.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

<strong>Answer: (b)</strong>

Key Features of the Initiative

– Tourism Helpline: Launch of India’s first multilingual tourism helpline (CM Connect), operating in 7 languages — English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Khasi, Pnar, and Garo. Provides real-time guidance on safety, logistics, and destinations.
– Meghalaya Homestay Mission: Focus on utilising homestays during the upcoming National Games and later as permanent tourist facilities. Nearly 800 homestays sanctioned, 237 operational, generating 1,600+ jobs. The state offers a 70% subsidy for new homestays and ₹50,000 incentive for registered existing ones.
– Tourism Infrastructure Development: Plan for 8 new 5-star hotels by 2030, expansion of Umroi Airport by 2027, and 210 sanctioned projects worth ₹3,625 crore (including ₹260 crore from DoNER for Sohra).
– Community Participation: Launch of Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme (₹10 lakh per project for facilities like pathways, viewing decks). Over 47 cooperative societies registered under the Meghalaya Rural Tourism Cooperative Federation.

Significance

– Promotes sustainable and eco-friendly tourism.
– Creates large-scale employment opportunities (target: 50,000 jobs).
– Projects Meghalaya as a global hub of culture, nature, and responsible tourism.

Statement-Based MCQ

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the recent tourism initiatives launched by Meghalaya:
1. The CM Connect Tourism Helpline is India’s first multilingual tourism helpline operating in seven languages.
2. Under the Meghalaya Homestay Mission, 100% subsidy is provided by the state government for setting up new homestays.
3. Meghalaya plans to build eight new 5-star hotels by 2030 and expand Umroi Airport by 2027.
4. The Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme provides up to ₹25 lakh for facilities like pathways and viewing decks.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b)