In recent years, Meghalaya’s natural beauty, rich cultural tapestry, and vibrant festivals have attracted tourists globally, leading to a surge in tourist footfall. To meet this rising demand and promote high-value tourism, the Meghalaya government is investing in luxury tourist facilities and infrastructure. However, there’s a need to enhance accommodations to meet high-value tourists’ expectations and preserve the state’s heritage.

Scheme rationale:High-value tourists demand top-tier accommodations, which the current government homestay scheme, limited by a ₹20 lakh budget, fails to provide. To address this, the ‘Agro Tourism Villa Schemes’ are introduced, offering funding for projects up to ₹1.5 crore, making Meghalaya a more appealing destination.

By prioritizing upscale lodging, Meghalaya can attract more tourists, boost revenue, and ensure visitor satisfaction, maintaining its competitive edge in the tourism market.

The Scheme: Under this scheme, eligible individuals can receive a significant subsidy of 35% of the project cost (25% upfront and 10% as a co-payment of the EMI). This subsidy applies to projects ranging from ₹50 lakhs to ₹1.5 crore, with a maximum subsidy of ₹52.5 lakhs, incentivizing investments in villa-type accommodations.

To ensure a well-balanced and controlled implementation, the scheme initially limits participation to a maximum of 30 individuals in its inaugural year. The government prefers these villas to be developed in rural areas, scenic agricultural fields, orchards, or tourist attraction sites. Priority clusters have been identified through a rigorous exercise by the State Tourism department. This strategic focus on rural regions and picturesque destinations aims to foster sustainable tourism growth, uplift local communities, and showcase the state’s natural beauty and cultural heritage to a broader audience of travellers.

The objectives of the scheme are as follows:

• Enhance Tourist Experience: 

Elevate the experience of high-value tourists by providing them with superior amenities and comfortable accommodations.

• Stimulate Private Investment: 

Encourage private investment in villa-type accommodations through substantial subsidies.

• Attract Discerning Travelers: 

Target high-value tourists, both domestic and international, by offering upscale accommodations.

• Promote Sustainable Tourism: 

Foster sustainable tourism practices to responsibly preserve Meghalaya’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

• Boost Local Economy: 

Contribute to the local economy by offering quality accommodations that attract more high-value tourists and increase spending.

• Drive Rural Development: 

Promote rural development by constructing villas in tourist sites, scenic agricultural fields/orchards, benefiting local communities and lesser-explored areas.

• Showcase Meghalaya’s Beauty: 

Highlight Meghalaya’s unparalleled beauty and rich heritage to travellers, establishing it as an alluring destination.

• Priority clusters:

Promote the development of Tourism in the priority cluster identified by the Tourism department

Villa Design and Aesthetics

A design consultant or consulting firm (preferably local to Meghalaya) will be empanelled specifically for designing or enhancing the designs of the villas under the Agro Tourism Villa Scheme.

1. The design consultant, in collaboration with the Tourism Department, will present sample model designs as the foundation for constructing luxurious villas.
2. Entrepreneurs will initially propose basic design concepts for the villa-type tourist accommodations, which will undergo evaluation during the qualification process.
3. Upon selection for the scheme, the Tourism Department will assign a design consultant to work with and enhance the initial design.
4. The designs can also be tailored to suit the specific region and topography where the accommodations will be built, whether in rural areas, agricultural settings, or popular tourist sites.
5. The villa designs will harmoniously blend ethnic elements with modern aesthetics, ensuring a balance between cultural authenticity and contemporary comfort.
6. Preserving the inherent aesthetics of the location will be a primary focus in the design process.
7. Sustainability will also be a key consideration, incorporating eco-friendly elements to enhance the beauty and minimize the environmental impact of the accommodations.

Note: The Tourism Department will cover the cost of design consultant/architects to assist in the villa designs.

Priority Clusters

The Tourism Department has identified priority clusters based on tourism potential, the need for government intervention in the region, and other factors. The indicative list of the 14 priority clusters along with the name of the villages are as follows:

Note:

• The priority list may be updated as needed by the Tourism Department, and notifications will be provided accordingly.
• The list of the villages may not be extensive, hence, villages that falls in the 14 clusters will be considered.