How Meghalaya Revolutionizing Responsible Travel with Safe, Sustainable, and Community-Driven Tourism Across Shillong, Sohra, Dawki, and Mawlynnong

Published on April 20, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

In a bold and strategic step toward reimagining tourism in Northeast India, the state of Meghalaya has introduced the Tourist Buddies Program—a people-first, place-based initiative that is fast gaining attention for its holistic approach to responsible, safe, and community-empowered travel. Launched by the Meghalaya Department of Tourism in partnership with the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), this initiative is a milestone in India’s sustainable tourism roadmap and offers a blueprint for the rest of the country.

For the latest travel news, travel updates and travel deals, airline news, cruise news, technology updates, travel alerts, weather reports, insider insights, exclusive interviews, subscribe now to the daily TTW newsletter.

Tourism in Meghalaya has boomed in recent years, with its pristine waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, and eco-conscious villages drawing thousands of domestic and international travelers. But with popularity comes pressure. Overtourism, unmanaged visitor flows, environmental degradation, and inadequate safety measures have raised red flags across local communities. The Tourist Buddies program is Meghalaya’s answer—a forward-thinking, hyperlocal solution designed not only to enhance visitor experience but also to uplift the region’s youth and reinforce a culture of sustainable tourism stewardship.

Meghalaya Tourism and Tourist Attractions: A Hidden Gem of Northeast India

Nestled in the misty hills of Northeast India, Meghalaya, aptly known as the “Abode of Clouds,” is a state that boasts untouched natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and growing recognition as a sustainable and responsible tourism destination. With its cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, sacred forests, and living root bridges, Meghalaya is emerging as a must-visit destination for domestic and international travellers seeking nature, serenity, and adventure in equal measure.

Shillong, the capital city, often dubbed the “Scotland of the East,” is a charming hill town with colonial-era architecture, vibrant markets, and panoramic viewpoints. Tourists flock to Ward’s Lake, Elephant Falls, and Laitlum Canyons for scenic experiences. The city’s cafes and music culture also make it a lively hub for millennials and cultural enthusiasts.

Not far from Shillong lies Sohra (Cherrapunji), renowned globally as one of the wettest places on Earth. It’s a land of majestic waterfalls such as Nohkalikai, Seven Sisters Falls, and Dainthlen, as well as fascinating limestone caves like Mawsmai and Arwah. The area is also home to the world-famous living root bridges, a marvel of indigenous engineering formed by guiding tree roots across streams.

Another unmissable gem is Dawki, a riverside village famous for the Umngot River, so clear it appears transparent. Boating in Dawki is a surreal experience, often likened to floating in air. The natural beauty and tranquility attract both adventure seekers and leisure travelers.

Mawlynnong, often celebrated as “Asia’s Cleanest Village,” is a model of eco-tourism. With bamboo walkways, manicured gardens, and a strong community-driven conservation ethic, it offers a perfect blend of rural charm and environmental consciousness. The Sky Viewpoint, built on a bamboo tower, offers breathtaking views of the Bangladeshi plains below.

In addition to its scenic splendor, Meghalaya’s cultural richness shines through vibrant festivals like Shad Suk Mynsiem, traditional Khasi cuisine, and indigenous music and dance. The warm hospitality of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities creates authentic interactions and immersive experiences for tourists.

The state’s government has been proactive in promoting responsible tourism through initiatives like the Tourist Buddies program, skill development, and infrastructure upgrades. Emphasis on sustainability, community engagement, and safety makes Meghalaya a model for conscious tourism.

With its diverse landscapes, rich traditions, and progressive tourism strategies, Meghalaya is fast becoming one of India’s most captivating travel destinations—perfect for eco-tourists, explorers, culture seekers, and soul-searchers alike.

What is the Tourist Buddies Program?

The Tourist Buddies Program trains local youth as cultural ambassadors, safety officers, and on-ground travel facilitators stationed at Meghalaya’s most popular tourist locations. These buddies, equipped with training in hospitality, basic first aid, safety compliance, and cultural communication, act as bridges between visitors and local communities. Their role is multi-dimensional: they guide, assist, protect, educate, and advocate—for both tourists and the region they call home.

The initiative, currently rolled out in four high-footfall destinations—Shillong, Sohra (Cherrapunji), Dawki, and Mawlynnong—has already begun transforming how visitors experience Meghalaya.

Get the latest news and real-time travel industry updates in 104 regional languages, with breaking travel news and live coverage across multilingual platforms.

A Hidden Gem Comes to Light: Meghalaya’s Rise in Indian Tourism

Nestled in the heart of the eastern Himalayas, Meghalaya, meaning “abode of clouds”, is one of the most captivating destinations in India. Known for its lush landscapes, record-breaking rainfall, crystal-clear rivers, and eco-conscious villages, the state is quickly becoming a tourism powerhouse in North East India. From cascading waterfalls in Sohra (Cherrapunji) to the floating boats on the Umngot River in Dawki and the pristine lanes of Mawlynnong—Asia’s Cleanest Village—Meghalaya has transformed from a quiet haven into a sought-after destination.

The state’s tourism surge is being driven by government-led initiatives like the Tourist Buddies program, new digital marketing campaigns, and infrastructure upgrades. These efforts are not just enhancing visitor safety and experience—they’re also empowering local communities, particularly the youth, by creating sustainable jobs in hospitality and guiding services.

North East India: The Next Frontier for Experiential Travel

While states like Goa, Kerala, and Rajasthan have long dominated India’s tourism narrative, the North East region—comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—is steadily claiming its place in the spotlight. Tourists are increasingly drawn to the region’s raw natural beauty, deep-rooted tribal cultures, and offbeat experiences such as living root bridges, monastic trails, indigenous festivals, and tea tourism.

States like Meghalaya are leading the charge by integrating eco-tourism, community-based travel, and sustainability principles into their tourism models. Efforts to boost air connectivity through regional hubs like Guwahati and Shillong, as well as the promotion of homestays and local culinary trails, are attracting both domestic and international travelers seeking authentic, slow, and immersive journeys.

Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Development

Despite the promise, the North East’s tourism industry faces challenges such as limited infrastructure, seasonal travel patterns, and the need for capacity-building among locals. Meghalaya and its neighboring states must invest in training programs, disaster preparedness, and responsible visitor management to maintain the ecological balance.

However, the opportunities far outweigh the hurdles. With rising demand for wellness retreats, digital detox escapes, and indigenous experiences, North East India is perfectly positioned to deliver what modern travelers are seeking. The rich biodiversity, untouched terrains, and unique cultural identities offer immense potential to become India’s next tourism success story—if managed with care and vision.

Key Destinations Covered by Tourist Buddies

Shillong, the state capital, is known for its cool climate, vibrant indie music scene, and breathtaking vantage points. Here, Tourist Buddies provide insights into hidden trails, ensure tourists follow local etiquette, and help manage crowd control in key attractions like Ward’s Lake and Laitlum Canyon.

Sohra, once known as Cherrapunji and famous for its monsoon-soaked landscapes, caves, and waterfalls, benefits from Buddies managing flow at sensitive sites like Mawsmai Caves, Nohkalikai Falls, and the Arwah Cave systems, where preservation is paramount.

Dawki, with its stunning Umngot River—so transparent it reflects the boats floating above—draws adrenaline junkies and nature lovers. Tourist Buddies here are trained in both cultural guiding and water safety protocols, ensuring adventure remains safe and regulated.

Mawlynnong, Asia’s Cleanest Village and a beacon of sustainable tourism, welcomes visitors looking for peace, order, and eco-awareness. Tourist Buddies here highlight local conservation efforts and help educate tourists on waste management, respecting private spaces, and supporting local artisans.

Get all the latest US travel news in English today, as well as the latest travel and tourism industry news from the UK, Europe, Asia, America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India and the rest of the world. Subscribe our Travel newsletter in your inbox.

Building Safety and Connection Through Local Empowerment

Unlike traditional tourist police or commercial guides, Tourist Buddies are locals from the region, selected for their communication skills, cultural knowledge, and interest in tourism. Trained under the guidance of NIT Meghalaya, they receive education in hospitality basics, navigation, emergency response, eco-tourism regulations, and interpersonal engagement.

This grassroots model ensures tourists benefit from authentic, culturally sensitive assistance while simultaneously creating dignified employment opportunities for the region’s youth. In doing so, Meghalaya isn’t just managing tourism—it’s cultivating a community-powered tourism ecosystem.

These young ambassadors provide live information, help in emergency situations, ensure that no unauthorized guides operate in the area, and mediate if tensions arise between visitors and locals. It’s safety through empathy, trust, and presence—not just authority.

For more such breaking travel news, travel industry news, travel updates, travel alert, tourism insights and exclusive articles and the latest updates on tourism, download our all new Travel and Tour World Mobile Application. Download Now.

Why the Program Is a Game-Changer for Meghalaya Tourism

1. Tackling Overtourism and Environmental Strain

With rising footfall to natural sites and rural hamlets, Meghalaya faces increasing pressure on its fragile ecosystems. Tourist Buddies assist in regulating visitor numbers, discouraging littering, and ensuring that footpaths, caves, and forest trails aren’t overrun or misused.

2. Bridging Cultural Gaps

The cultural divide between urban, tech-savvy travelers and local indigenous communities often results in miscommunication or unintentional disrespect. Tourist Buddies act as cultural translators, helping tourists understand Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo customs and values.

3. Boosting Community Participation

This is not a top-down imposition but a bottom-up, inclusive model of tourism that gives locals both ownership and accountability. The pride that comes with wearing the Tourist Buddy badge transforms individuals into guardians of their heritage.

4. Data Collection and Impact Monitoring

Tourist Buddies are trained to gather feedback, document tourist behavior, and report issues. This helps the state make data-driven decisions about infrastructure, policies, and destination marketing.

Click Now: Discover any news about travel, tourism, trade shows at the Travel And Tour World, including breaking travel news and weekly travel updates for travel trade, airlines, cruise, railways, technology, travel association, DMCs, and video interviews and promotional videos.

A Model for India’s Responsible Travel Future

Meghalaya’s Tourist Buddies Program is a beacon of what responsible travel could look like in other Indian states. Instead of over-relying on surveillance or reactive enforcement, the program emphasizes proactive engagement, peer-to-peer communication, and empathetic tourism governance.

In a world where AI chatbots and app-based guides dominate the travel planning experience, Meghalaya is making a strong case for human presence, local wisdom, and face-to-face connection. The Tourist Buddy is not just a facilitator—they are a storyteller, a first responder, a cultural envoy, and a sustainable travel advocate rolled into one.

The Broader Vision: Northeast India as a Sustainable Travel Haven

The timing of this initiative is critical. Northeast India is becoming a top destination for slow travel, ecotourism, and cultural immersion. As infrastructure projects like improved highways and regional air connectivity make Meghalaya more accessible, the challenge lies in preserving the region’s uniqueness while accommodating growth.

By anchoring the future of travel in local hands, Meghalaya is ensuring that economic benefits stay within communities, while natural and cultural assets are protected for future generations. With the Tourist Buddies initiative, the state is also positioning itself as a leader in ethical, sustainable tourism models.

What Lies Ahead: Scaling and Expanding the Program

The state has announced plans to scale the program beyond its initial four destinations. Future rollouts may include Laitkynsew, Jowai, and Balpakram National Park, with the intention of covering all high-traffic tourism corridors.

Technology will also play a role—each Tourist Buddy will eventually be equipped with a mobile app-based dashboard for reporting, translating, and resource-sharing. In time, Meghalaya could see a network of several hundred Tourist Buddies, creating a safety and service net across the entire travel experience.

For Latest Travel News: Find latest tourism industry news from every corner of the globe at Travel And Tour World, your only online source for breaking international travel news coverage.

Final Word: A Step Toward Insightful, Inclusive Travel

The Tourist Buddies Program is more than just a travel safety initiative—it’s a visionary template for tourism that celebrates people, places, and purpose. It reinforces the idea that travel, when done responsibly, is not only a leisure activity but a form of cultural diplomacy, community building, and environmental stewardship.

Whether it’s guiding a tourist to a hidden waterfall, helping someone navigate a local festival, or simply ensuring a family’s safety on a hiking trail, the Tourist Buddies of Meghalaya are redefining the role of the travel guide. They are not just helping people move through places—they are helping people connect with places.

In this way, Meghalaya’s Tourist Buddies don’t just make travel possible—they make it meaningful.

What’s More in Travel And Tour World

Get the latest news and real-time travel industry updates in 104 regional languages, with breaking travel news and live coverage across multilingual platforms.

Get daily dose of news from Travel Industry, by subscribing to Travel And Tour World newsletters. Subscribe here. 

Watch Travel And Tour World  Interviews here.

Read more Travel News, Daily Travel Alert, and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.