Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar on Tuesday inaugurated the three-day Mizoram Travel Fest 2026 at Aijal Club in Aizawl, calling for greater community participation, sustainable tourism practices and improved local livelihoods.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Hmar urged tourism professionals, tour operators, accommodation providers, investors and local communities to work together to realise Mizoram’s tourism potential while preserving its cultural heritage and natural environment.
He stressed that tourism should not merely attract visitors but also ensure that its economic benefits reach local communities. Initiatives, he said, should showcase Mizoram’s culture, hospitality and community spirit while generating livelihoods and encouraging people to take pride in their traditions.
Citing a community-based festival held earlier this year at Phuaibuang village, known for its cherry blossoms, Hmar highlighted how visitors, including officials, were encouraged to buy food directly from local residents. Such initiatives provide direct income to communities while allowing visitors to experience authentic Mizo cuisine and culture, he said.
He emphasised that tourism development must extend beyond Aizawl and established destinations to remote areas across the state.
Highlighting the role of homestays, Hmar said they allow visitors to experience local culture, cuisine and everyday life while generating income for households. He said the government would encourage private households and communities to establish homestays while improving existing government-run tourist lodges.
He also called for improvements in hospitality skills, hygiene, safety and service quality, stressing the need for closer collaboration with the Association of Tour Operators Mizoram (ATOM), Homestays of India and other stakeholders.
Hmar urged tour operators to promote lesser-known destinations and raise awareness of local customs, traditions and environmental responsibility. He called for measures to reduce plastic waste and adopt environmentally friendly practices at tourist destinations and festivals, including exploring the possibility of organising future events with reduced plastic use or as plastic-free festivals.
Identifying culture, adventure and nature as key strengths of Mizoram’s tourism sector, the minister highlighted the state’s traditions, hills, valleys, forests and scenic landscapes.
He called for greater collaboration among the Tourism Department, the Environment, Forests and Climate Change Department, Mizoram University and other academic institutions to promote nature-based tourism, educational visits and research-related travel.
He also stressed the importance of reliable data and evidence-based planning to assess tourism’s contribution to the state’s economy.
Referring to Dampa Tiger Reserve and Mizoram’s rich biodiversity, Hmar called for the identification, documentation and promotion of the state’s natural assets.
He encouraged young people, tourism professionals and local communities to explore lesser-known destinations and showcase the state’s landscapes, festivals, villages and cultural heritage on social media to reach wider audiences.
The minister said tourism development required collective effort and encouraged tour operators, accommodation providers, travel associations, investors and local communities to exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore investment opportunities to strengthen tourism infrastructure and services.
He expressed confidence that responsible investment and stronger community participation could help Mizoram emerge as a leading destination for culture, adventure and nature-based tourism. (East Mojo)
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