Aizawl, Dec 28: Mizoram recorded a sharp rise in tourist arrivals this year as visitors from across India and overseas thronged the state to experience Christmas celebrations rooted in traditional feasts, church services and community gatherings. State Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar said the year-end festive season witnessed an unprecedented surge in footfall, reflecting growing interest in Mizoram as a cultural and winter tourism destination.
According to the minister, improved connectivity following the inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang railway line has played a crucial role in making travel to the state more accessible and affordable. He also attributed the increase in visitors to sustained promotional efforts by the state government, supported by active participation from local communities, which together have helped showcase Mizoram’s cultural richness and hospitality.
Hmar noted a distinct change from previous years, with a larger number of domestic and foreign tourists taking part in church services, zaikhawm congregational singing sessions and community feasts organised by local churches. These experiences, he said, offered visitors a deeper understanding of Mizo traditions and the central role of community life during Christmas.
State Tourism Director R Lalrodingi said accommodation facilities in Aizawl witnessed overwhelming demand, with hotels and homestays fully booked as early as November and complete occupancy recorded on Christmas Eve. The pressure on accommodation was such that the tourism department had to request vacant paying guest hostels and other establishments to house the influx of tourists. He added that visitors were not only attending religious and cultural programmes but were also exploring popular tourist spots in and around the capital, although the final tally of tourists is still being compiled.
Highlighting the government’s long-term vision, Hmar said consistent efforts are underway to establish Mizoram as a preferred winter tourism destination, especially during the festive season. He stressed that while promotional initiatives have begun delivering positive outcomes, ensuring quality accommodation and warm hospitality for visitors remains a key focus. At the same time, he expressed concern that the reintroduction of the Protected Area Permit regime by the Centre in December last year has limited the arrival of international tourists.
Official data shows that around 5.2 lakh tourists visited Mizoram during the 2024–25 fiscal year, marking a 139.5 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Between April and October alone, more than four lakh tourists, including 7,346 foreign nationals, travelled to the state. The tourism upswing has been further strengthened by the inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang railway line by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13, alongside a series of state-supported events.
In collaboration with the Union Ministry of Tourism, the Mizoram government organised a winter festival from December 15 to 20, followed by the state’s first-ever Christmas parade on December 23, led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma. Additional events are lined up, including a year-end programme at Sakawrhmuituai Hills on December 31 to mark the final sunset of the year, and mass angling events scheduled for January 6 and 7 at the Tuivai River and Phuaibuang village in Saitual district, an area famed for its scenic cherry blossoms.
