Photo Courtesy: nenow
Aizawl: Mizoram is seeing a major spike in travel. State records show 675,284 visitors arrived between January and August, a sharp climb from past fiscal years. Domestic travelers account for 664,197 of those visits, while 11,087 were foreign. This follows a growth trend from 524,784 arrivals in 2024-25 to 980,618 in 2025-26.
New infrastructure is the main driver. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the 51.38-km Bairabi-Sairang rail line on September 13, 2025, finally linking Aizawl to the national network. Officials say this rail line makes the state far more accessible.
Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar wants to keep the momentum going. He is pushing for new events like the Winter Festival, Hnahsin Kut, and the Leitlangpui Music Festival. The government is also promoting spots like Tlaizawng Paradise and the Sakawrhmuituai sunset point to draw crowds year-round. Hmar recently emphasized the importance of domestic travel. “People from outside visiting Mizoram is not enough. Residents should also travel to different parts of the state. Such movement will contribute to the local economy,” he said.
The push for growth was evident at the recent three-day Anthurium Festival at Reiek Tourist Resort, which returned after a two-year break. Horticulture Minister C Lalsawivunga opened the event on October 1. Attendees packed the site for trekking, cave tours, rifle shooting, and cable footbridge crossings. Local groups including the Young Mizo Association held cultural performances throughout the event.
The state is also tightening its rules. Policies like the 2020 Mizoram Responsible Tourism Policy and the Mizoram Registration of Tourist Trade Act aim to keep visitors safe and services reliable. The Tourism Department is currently working with churches and civil groups to spread tourism across the entire state.
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