Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar opened the three‑day Mizoram Travel Fest 2026 at Aijal Club in Aizawl on Tuesday, urging greater community participation, sustainable practices and improved livelihoods for locals. He called on tourism professionals, tour operators, accommodation providers, investors and local communities to collaborate in realizing Mizoram’s tourism potential while preserving its cultural heritage and natural environment.
Hmar highlighted a community‑based festival in Phuaibuang village, where visitors—including officials—bought food directly from residents, generating income and offering authentic Mizo cuisine. He stressed that tourism should bring economic benefits to local communities while safeguarding cultural heritage and the environment.
The minister emphasized homestays as a way for visitors to experience local culture and for households to earn income. He announced government support for private homestays and improvements to state‑run lodges, and called for better hospitality skills, hygiene, safety and service quality in partnership with the Association of Tour Operators Mizoram, Homestays of India and other stakeholders.
Identifying culture, adventure and nature as Mizoram’s strengths, Hmar urged collaboration among the Tourism Department, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Department, Mizoram University and other institutions to promote nature‑based tourism and research. He also emphasized reliable data, the biodiversity of Dampa Tiger Reserve, and encouraging young people to showcase lesser‑known destinations on social media. He concluded that responsible investment and community participation can position Mizoram as a leading destination for culture, adventure and nature‑based tourism.
