State aims to welcome 10 lakh visitors by year-end; ₹681.16 crore in tourism infrastructure projects under execution as government invites private investment

“Civic sense, clean air, our culture and peace are the strengths that we have imbibed from our ancestors; does not require any investment”: Hon’ble Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma

Aizawl, October 14, 2026: Mizoram is looking to raise tourism’s contribution to its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from the current 2.3% to between 5% and 7% by 2047, combining infrastructure development and private investment with the State’s distinctive cultural and natural assets. The government aims to welcome at least 10 lakh visitors by December 31 this year, as it seeks to turn rising tourist arrivals into sustained economic opportunities for local communities.

Addressing the media at Mizoram Travel Fest 2026 on Wednesday, Pu Lalduhoma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram, highlighted the State’s civic culture, cleanliness, peaceful environment and safety as advantages that cannot simply be created through financial investment, even as the government works to strengthen tourism infrastructure.

Reflecting on the qualities that distinguish Mizoram as a destination, Hon’ble Chief Minister said the State’s civic sense, peaceful character, cleanliness and culture of women’s safety were values inherited from previous generations and a source of pride. He said, “These are strengths that do not require investment. Our civic sense, our peaceful environment, our cleanliness and the safety of women are values we have imbibed from our ancestors. These are things I am proud of. Alongside these strengths, we are also developing our infrastructure,” he said.

Rising Demand Creates Investment Opportunities

Tourism infrastructure projects worth more than ₹681.16 crore are currently under execution with support from the Government of India and external partners. These include eco-resorts, ropeways, heritage centers, pilgrimage circuits and convention facilities. “The Government is laying the foundation, and we invite the private sector to build upon it,” Hon’ble Chief Minister said, inviting enterprises to participate in the next phase of tourism development.

Connectivity has strengthened this opportunity, particularly following the opening of the Bairabi–Sairang railway line in September 2025, which has made travel to Mizoram more affordable and dependable. The State recorded more than 6.7 lakh visitors between January and August 2026, a 51% increase over the corresponding period last year. “Demand for Mizoram is real and rising, and it now exceeds the facilities available to serve it. That gap represents the opportunity before us,” Hon’ble Chief Minister said.

Pu Lalnghinglova Hmar, Hon’ble Tourism Minister said the State was targeting at least 10 lakh visitors by the end of the year, a number roughly equivalent to Mizoram’s population. He emphasized that the sector’s success must be measured not only by arrivals but also by the economic benefits reaching local businesses and communities. “For us, tourism is not simply about increasing visitor numbers. It is about

ensuring that the economic benefits reach our people and create opportunities for local businesses and communities,” the Minister said.

Connecting Destinations Through Culture, Adventure and Nature

Notably, a Tourism Department presentation highlighted Mizoram’s 85.34% forest cover, biodiversity, scenic landscapes, waterfalls and living Mizo culture as key assets. The proposed model aims to connect destinations with accommodation, transport, trained personnel, local services and bookable experiences, enabling visitors to explore more of the State while directing tourism spending towards local enterprises.

The Mizoram Tourism Events and Festival Calendar 2026 is also intended to distribute visitor activity across seasons. Upcoming events include the Hnahsin Kut, or Cosmos Festival, in Champhai until October 16; the Leitlangpui Music Festival in Lunglei from November 11–13; and the Winter Festival in Aizawl from December 15–23.

Building a self-reliant economy

The government is identifying opportunities across publicly supported infrastructure, community enterprises, facilities suitable for public-private partnership (PPP) operations and private-sector-led tourism experiences. Dr Lalrozama, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Tourism Department, highlighted the opportunities emerging from rising arrivals and the gap between visitor demand and existing facilities, describing Mizoram as open to responsible investment.

Pu Vanlaldina Fanai, Commissioner and Secretary, Planning and Programme Implementation and Finance departments, linked tourism development to the State’s wider ambition of building a more self-reliant economy driven by enterprise and private investment. He also pointed to the need to consider future connectivity options, including extending railway access towards southern Mizoram and exploring smaller airports over time.

Protecting the Assets That Attract Visitors

The government has emphasized that tourism growth must preserve the natural environment and cultural values underpinning Mizoram’s appeal. The Tourism Department has signed an MoU with the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) to sensitize visitors about local customs, traditions and appropriate conduct.

Notably, Tourism Minister has also called for greener festivals and destinations, including reducing plastic waste and promoting plastic-free events. The government is planning to implement improved regulation and monitoring of accommodation units in collaboration with CYMA and the Aizawl Municipal Corporation to strengthen service quality and support organized growth.

Hon’ble Chief Minister also underscored tourism’s potential to foster regional cooperation. “Mizoram is India’s gateway to the East. We share international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh and stand at the heart of the Act East Policy. Initiatives such as the Assam–Mizoram Border Festival show that tourism can also foster peace and goodwill among neighbours,” he said.

The Mizoram Travel Fest brings together government representatives, tourism institutions, industry associations and private partners to identify investment opportunities and strengthen collaboration. The

State’s long-term ambition is to build a connected, community-oriented tourism economy that generates livelihoods, attracts responsible investment and contributes more substantially to economic growth by 2047.