Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: Mizoram is hunting for the title of India's Winter Capital. The Mizoram Travel Fest 2026 kicked off in Aizawl on October 13 to drive this goal. Tourism stakeholders, homestay operators, and chefs gathered to map out the state's future. The industry is booming. From January to August 2026, the state hosted over 6.7 lakh visitors. This marks a 51 percent jump over the same period in 2025.
Growth is real. Numbers climbed nearly 97 percent between 2024 and 2025. Better travel helped. The Bairabi-Sairang railway line opened in September 2025 to ease access. Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar attended the opening to stress the need for community gains. "For us, tourism is not simply about bringing visitors into Mizoram. It is also about ensuring that the benefits reach the people who make Mizoram special. We want tourism to create opportunities for our communities, generate livelihoods and encourage people to take pride in their own culture," he said.
Money is flowing into the region. Mizoram has moved nearly ₹680 crore in tourism investments since 2023. This includes 11 major projects totaling ₹608.38 crore. Big-ticket items include a ₹250-crore effort for iconic attractions, the ₹127-crore PM Ekta Mall, and a ₹99.71-crore conference centre at Thingsulthliah. A ₹34.50-crore ropeway project at Thenzawl-Buangpui is also underway.
The state has big goals. It wants 12 lakh visitors by 2030 and 20 lakh by 2047. Planners want to connect 40 destinations via 10 Culture, Adventure and Nature circuits. Local participation is a priority. The government adopted 40 villages for development. The Bana Kaih Handholding Homestay Scheme and PM-JUGA are backing 199 homestays with up to ₹5 lakh each. Eligible businesses can also snag interest-free loans up to ₹20 lakh. Currently, 1,542 registered service providers operate in the state.
Upcoming events aim to keep the momentum high. The Leitlangpui Music Festival runs from November 11 to 13 in Lunglei. Aizawl hosts its Winter Festival from December 15 to 23. The Hnahsin Kut, or Cosmos Festival, in Champhai wraps up on October 16. Officials hope these events help keep visitors in town longer.
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