Aizawl: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mizoram Tourism Department with an aim to boost eco-tourism and strengthen regional connectivity.
The agreement, expected to be finalised next week, is expected to provide a significant uplift to Mizoram’s tourism sector, enhancing its appeal as an eco-friendly and culturally rich destination for both domestic and international visitors.
IRCTC, a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, has been pivotal in promoting tourism across India since its inception in 1999. As a Navratna enterprise, IRCTC provides a variety of services including ticketing, catering, and tourism management.
Under the agreement, IRCTC will lead promotional campaigns to showcase Mizoram’s attractions and will design customized travel packages for tourists, IRCTC tourism officer Lalsawmliana Hmar said.
As part of the initiative, IRCTC will not only spotlight Mizoram’s unique attractions to both domestic and international travellers, but also extend outbound travel opportunities to Mizoram residents.
These will include affordable leisure tour packages to countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and several destinations across Europe.
In addition to promoting tourism in Mizoram, IRCTC is planning to expand its offerings with organised Christian pilgrimage tours to spiritually significant destinations including Corinth, Thessaloniki, Athens, and Patmos in Greece, as well as Rome in Italy.
Under the terms of the MoU, IRCTC will take the lead in promoting the state’s tourism offerings by launching a series of tailored travel packages.
These packages will cater to a wide range of tourists, offering everything from short excursions to extended stays.
The tourism department aims to showcase Mizoram as an eco-tourism hub, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and conservation.
The state’s government has also promised to focus on minimizing the environmental impact, ensuring that it benefits both the local economy and the surrounding environment.
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“We recently conducted a successful pilot tour for a group of pastors from Mizoram to these pilgrimage sites. Our aim is to collaborate closely with the state tourism department to organize more such spiritual journeys in a structured and accessible way,” Hmar said.
