Mizoram seeks sustainability as tourism booms

AIZAWLImproved connectivity, particularly railways, has helped Mizoram record a 51% increase in tourist arrivals between January and August 2026 over the corresponding period in 2025.The State’s Lalduhoma-led Zoram People’s Movement government has envisaged 12 lakh tourist arrivals by 2030 and 20 lakh by 2047, powered by community-based projects, the backbone of the growth story so far.Tour operators said the 6.7 lakh tourists Mizoram clocked in eight months this year is less than 1% of what India generates.Wary of tourism’s downsides, “late-starter” Mizoram government prefers a slower but steadier growth.“Mizoram has a lot of catching up to do with her northeastern neighbours in terms of tourism. But we want child-safe, women-safe and sustainable tourism where community, culture, and nature are safeguarded,” Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar said during the three-day Mizoram Travel Fest in Aizawl on Tuesday (October 13, 2026).The government, he said, has decided to partner with Mizoram University to conduct social and economic impact assessment studies on tourism.Mr. Hmar said tourism stakeholders in the State face the challenge of encouraging longer stays, introducing visitors to destinations beyond Aizawl, and ensuring tourism spending creates opportunities for local enterprises.“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. We welcome visitors, as well as investment and enterprise in tourism. But we want this growth to be responsible and sustainable,” he said.Mizoram has mobilised nearly ₹680 crore in tourism investment since 2023, including 11 major projects sanctioned with an outlay of ₹608.38 crore. These include a ₹250-crore initiative to develop iconic tourist facilities and attractions, the ₹127-crore PM Ekta Mall, a ₹99.71-crore conference centre at Thingsulthliah and a ₹34.50-crore aerial ropeway and associated infrastructure project at Thenzawl-Buangpui.In line with its long-term vision, Mizoram is focusing on expanding accommodation capacity and developing 10 culture, adventure, and nature tourism circuits connecting 40 destinations by 2047. Published - October 14, 2026 01:12 pm IST