Aizawl: Mizoram aims to raise tourism’s contribution to its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from 2.3% to 5-7% by 2047 and attract at least 10 lakh visitors by the end of this year, CM Lalduhoma said on Wednesday.Speaking on the second day of the Mizoram Travel Fest 2026, Lalduhoma said the state was expanding its tourism infrastructure to meet rising demand while leveraging its natural beauty, cleanliness, peaceful environment and cultural values.He said Mizoram’s civic sense, cleanliness and safety of women were inherited social strengths that could not be created through financial investment alone.“These are strengths that do not require investment. Alongside these strengths, we are also developing our infrastructure,” he said, inviting private businesses to invest in tourism.Tourism projects worth more than Rs 681.16 crore are currently under execution with support from the Centre and external partners. The projects include eco-resorts, ropeways, heritage centres, pilgrimage circuits and convention facilities.Lalduhoma said govt had laid the groundwork for tourism growth and expected private investors to build on it.Improved connectivity, particularly after the opening of the Bairabi-Sairang railway line in Sept 2025, has made Mizoram more accessible. The state recorded more than 6.7 lakh visitors between Jan and Aug this year, a 51% increase over the corresponding period in 2025.“Demand for Mizoram is real and rising, and it now exceeds the facilities available to serve it. That gap represents the opportunity before us,” Lalduhoma said.Tourism minister Lalnghinglova Hmar said the target of 10 lakh visitors by Dec 31 was roughly equivalent to Mizoram’s population. However, he said tourism growth should be measured by the income and employment it generated for local communities, rather than by visitor numbers alone.The tourism department identified Mizoram’s 85.34% forest cover, biodiversity, waterfalls, scenic landscapes and living Mizo culture as key attractions. Its proposed tourism strategy seeks to connect destinations with accommodation, transport, trained personnel and bookable experiences so that local businesses benefit from visitor spending.The department is also promoting events throughout the year to distribute tourist arrivals across seasons. Upcoming events include Hnahsin Kut in Champhai, which will continue until Oct 16; the Leitlangpui Music Festival in Lunglei from Nov 11 to 13; and the Aizawl Winter Festival from Dec 15 to 23.Tourism commissioner and secretary Lalrozama said rising arrivals and inadequate facilities presented opportunities for responsible investment. Govt is exploring private-sector participation, community enterprises and public-private partnerships, he said.Officials also stressed the need to protect the environment and local traditions. The Tourism Department has signed an agreement with the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) to familiarise visitors with local customs.Plans include reducing plastic waste at festivals and improving the regulation and monitoring of accommodation facilities in collaboration with CYMA and the Aizawl Municipal Corporation.Lalduhoma said Mizoram’s location along the international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh gave tourism a regional dimension and could help promote cooperation and goodwill among neighbouring areas.
