Aizawl: Mizoram recorded a tourist footfall of 12.68 lakh over the past two years, reflecting a sharp rise in visitor arrivals and growing interest in the state as a travel destination, Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar informed the Assembly on Friday.
Responding to a question from Mizo National Front (MNF) legislator and Leader of the Opposition Lalchhandama Ralte, the Minister said 12,68,624 tourists, including 16,898 foreign nationals, visited Mizoram between 2024 and 2025.
According to the data presented in the House, the state welcomed 4,27,302 tourists in 2024, while the figure rose sharply to 8,41,322 in 2025, registering a year-on-year growth of nearly 97%.
Domestic travellers accounted for the overwhelming majority of visitors, comprising 98.66% of total arrivals. While 4.21 lakh domestic tourists visited the State in 2024, the number nearly doubled to 8.29 lakh in 2025.
International arrivals also witnessed a significant increase during the period. The number of foreign tourists rose from 5,414 in 2024 to 11,484 in 2025, reflecting a growth of more than 112%.
Officials attributed the surge in tourism to improved infrastructure and targeted promotional efforts highlighting Mizoram’s eco-tourism potential.
During his address on the opening day of the state’s budget session on February 17, Governor Vijay Kumar Singh had said Mizoram was emerging as one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the Northeast.
He credited the rise in tourist arrivals to improved connectivity and major infrastructure investments, particularly the arrival of the national railway network in the state.
The 51.38-km Bairabi–Sairang railway line, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13 last year, brought Mizoram onto the country’s railway map. According to the Governor, the new rail link has integrated Aizawl with the national transport network and contributed significantly to the increase in tourist arrivals.
Tourism Minister Hmar earlier said that sustained efforts by the government and local communities to promote Mizoram’s natural beauty and cultural heritage were beginning to yield results.
He added that the government remains focused on improving tourism infrastructure, including the availability of quality accommodation, while positioning Mizoram as a premium destination, particularly during the winter season.