Aizawl witnessed an unprecedented surge in tourist arrivals this year as visitors from across India and abroad flocked to Mizoram to experience Christmas celebrations marked by church services, congregational singing and traditional community feasts, Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar said.
According to the minister, tourist footfall during the year-end festive season rose sharply, driven largely by improved connectivity following the opening of the railway link, which has made travel to the state more affordable.
He also attributed the increase to sustained tourism promotion efforts jointly undertaken by the government and local communities.
Unlike earlier years, Hmar said, a significant number of domestic and foreign tourists were seen actively participating in church services, zaikhawm sessions and community feasts organised by local churches, offering them a close look at the Mizo way of celebrating Christmas — a blend of religious devotion and cultural tradition.
The surge was reflected in accommodation occupancy, with hotels and homestays remaining fully booked since November.
State Tourism Director R Lalrodingi said all hotels and homestays in Aizawl were completely sold out on Christmas Eve, forcing the department to request paying guest hostels and other establishments to accommodate the overflow of tourists.
While an exact figure of visitors during the Christmas period is yet to be compiled, Lalrodingi said tourists from both within the country and overseas were seen attending church events and exploring destinations in and around the capital city.
Hmar said the inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang railway line has played a crucial role in the tourism upswing by improving accessibility, while the government and residents have collectively worked to showcase Mizoram’s tourism potential.
He added that the state is focusing on positioning Mizoram as an attractive winter and festive-season destination, with an emphasis on hospitality and quality stay for visitors.
However, the minister expressed concern that the reimposition of the Protected Area Permit by the Centre in December last year prevented many international tourists from visiting the state.
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Official data shows that around 5.2 lakh tourists visited Mizoram during the 2024–25 financial year, marking a 139.5 per cent increase compared to the previous fiscal.
More than four lakh tourists, including 7,346 foreign visitors, arrived in the state between April and October this year.
The tourism push was further strengthened by a series of events, including a winter festival held from December 15 to 20 and Mizoram’s first-ever Christmas parade on December 23, led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma.
The tourism department is set to organise additional events, including a year-end programme at Sakawrhmuituai hills on December 31 to mark the last sunset of the year, followed by mass angling events in January at the Tuivai river and Phuaibuang village in Saitual district.
