GUWAHATI, Oct 13: Mizoram tourism minister Lalnghinglova Hmar on Tuesday emphasised that tourism must generate livelihoods while protecting the traditions and natural beauty that distinguish Mizoram.
“For us, tourism is not simply about bringing visitors into Mizoram. It is also about ensuring that the benefits reach people who make Mizoram special.,” Hmar said at the inauguration of the Mizoram Travel Fest in Aizawl.
“We want tourism to create opportunities for our communities, generate livelihoods and encourage people to take pride in their own culture. We welcome visitors, as well as investment and enterprise in tourism. But we want this growth to be responsible and sustainable,” the minister said.
Organised by the Mizoram tourism department and the Union ministry of tourism, the three-day festival brings together national tourism stakeholders to shape the state’s next phase of tourism-led growth.
With rising visitor numbers and expanding investment, Mizoram is seeking to transform its appeal into a year-round tourism economy while positioning itself as India’s “winter capital”.
A special presentation on Mizo cuisine as a tourism experience set the tone for the festival, highlighting the role of local food and cultural identity in creating distinctive travel experiences.
Held under the theme “Building Mizoram’s Tourism Future Partnerships for Culture, Adventure and Nature”, deliberations on the first day brought together diverse perspectives on CAN (Culture, Adventure and Nature) with participants ranging from tourism service providers, students and key dignitaries across diverse sectors.
Mizoram has recorded more than 6.7 lakh visitors between January and August this year, marking a 51 percent increase over the corresponding period in 2025. Tourist arrivals have grown by about 97 percent between 2024 and 2025.
The tourism department will now look to encourage longer stays, introduce visitors to destinations beyond Aizawl and ensure that tourism spending creates opportunities for local enterprises.
Nearly Rs 680 crore in tourism investment has been mobilised in Mizoram since 2023, including 11 major projects sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 608.38 crore.
Mizoram’s longer-term vision includes 12 lakh tourist arrivals by 2030 and 20 lakh by 2047, alongside the expansion of accommodation capacity and development of 10 CAN tourism circuits connecting 40 destinations by 2047.