Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma reopened the renovated Pinewood Banquet Hall in Shillong this Tuesday. Members of the state Cabinet watched the ceremony. The Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation Ltd finished the project to modernize the venue while keeping its traditional timber and mud bones intact.
Tourist traffic in Meghalaya climbed 50 per cent to reach 18 lakh visitors last year, up from 12 lakh in 2018. The state government now aims for 21 lakh visitors by 2028. State leaders want to stretch the average stay from two days to five. To get there, the tourism budget jumped from Rs 40 crore in FY 2021 to Rs 359 crore in FY 2027.
Skyscanner named Meghalaya the top-searched Indian destination for 2025. Travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, and Australia are flocking to the region. The MTDC plans to run the hall year-round for state business, exhibitions, and private shows. An official release noted the hall will create jobs for local cooks, service staff, musicians, technicians, and guides, stating: "The regular schedule is expected to generate direct employment for local cooks, service staff, musicians, technicians, and guides."
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