The Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, hosted the 'Empowerment of Tourism Champions' program on May 6, 2026, at the Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam. The event celebrated and supported grassroots stakeholders in the tourism sector, including entrepreneurs, homestay owners, artisans, students, and community leaders. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma distributed sanction letters to the initial cohort of beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission, which aims to construct 3,000 new homestays. Funding was also announced under the Community-Led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme, and cash prizes were awarded to the state’s top ten performing PMEGP homestay hosts. Full-course scholarships were presented to IHM Shillong students, and a special Bravery Award was given to tourist buddy Teiborlang Pakma for a heroic rescue at Ward’s Lake.