Benreu village, also called ‘Mount Pauna Tourist Village’, is slowly gaining momentum as one of the top tourist destinations in Nagaland state. (Photo Courtesy: apen.small_villageguy on Instagram)
Moajungshi Menon
Nagaland recently made headlines for an unfortunate reason, according to the Tourism Ministry’s latest report, it ranks as the second least visited state in the entire North East region. In 2023, Nagaland saw fewer tourist arrivals than almost all its neighbors, with only Manipur recording lower numbers. Assam, Meghalaya and even smaller states like Sikkim and Mizoram continue to attract far more visitors.
This ranking is alarming, especially when one considers Nagaland’s natural beauty, rich cultural diversity and unique festivals. Despite being branded as the “Land of Festivals,” the state has yet to translate its cultural wealth into consistent tourism growth. What makes this even more concerning is that Nagaland is not lacking in potential but it is lacking in vision, infrastructure and year-round planning. Nagaland is truly a land blessed by God adorned with breathtaking landscapes, lush green hills, serene valleys and rich traditions that reflect centuries of cultural heritage. The state’s unique ethnic diversity, vibrant festivals, indigenous crafts and warm hospitality has the power to attract travelers from all over the world. In a time when experiential and cultural tourism is growing globally, Nagaland holds a special position as a hidden gem waiting to be fully discovered.
Untapped Potential
Tourism in India contributes around 5% to the national GDP, creating millions of jobs across various sectors from transport and hospitality to handicrafts and local food industries. Kerala, for example stands as a model for how tourism can transform a state’s economy. Tourism contributes over 12% to Kerala’s GDP. The industry provides direct and indirect employment to more than 1.5 million people. Aggressive promotion, excellent infrastructure and year-round attractions have made Kerala a globally recognized brand as “God’s Own Country”.
If Nagaland can adopt a similar approach blending cultural experiences with eco-tourism, improving connectivity and marketing aggressively, it can significantly boost both its economy and employment. Tourism offers opportunities in hospitality Services (Hotels, homestays, resorts and guesthouses), guiding and tour operations (Cultural guides, adventure tourism coordinators and nature trail guides), handicrafts and artisanal Products (Selling locally made Naga shawls, bamboo products, jewelry and woodcraft), food and culinary tourism (Promoting authentic Naga cuisines and food experiences) adventure and eco-tourism (Trekking, camping, bird watching and nature trails) and cultural experiences (Village tourism, traditional dance and music performances and storytelling sessions). If promoted properly, Nagaland can become a year-round destination rather than a short seasonal stop for visitors.
The Hornbill Festival and Beyond
Currently, the Hornbill Festival celebrated every December is the flagship event for tourism in Nagaland. While it successfully draws both domestic and international tourists, the state lacks follow-up events or year-round attractions that keep visitors coming back. The government’s seriousness about the Hornbill Festival is clear. This is evident from the recent news (August 2025), where the Chief Secretary chaired a preparatory meeting with all the stakeholders for the Hornbill Festival at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat. This level of preparation underlines the importance given to the Hornbill Festival as Nagaland’s international tourism showcase.
While such seriousness is welcome, it also reveals a gap: other equally vibrant tribal festivals are not promoted or supported with the same effort. Every tribe celebrate colorful festivals that could attract tourists if planned and marketed properly. However, they remain mostly community events, drawing little attention from the wider tourism industry. Thus, Nagaland risks being seen as a place with “one big festival for 10 Days” instead of a year-round cultural hub. Nagaland proudly calls itself the “Land of Festivals,” but in practice, tourism only peaks during Hornbill’s 10 days festival.
Every district and every tribe have its own festival celebrated in different months of the year. If the government can protect, preserve and promote these festivals with the same seriousness and planning as the Hornbill Festival, Nagaland can transform itself into a year-round tourism hub. Instead of restricting tourist inflow to just 10 days in December, this approach would distribute visitors across all seasons, benefit local economies in every district and give tourists multiple reasons to return again and again. By highlighting the diversity of Naga festivals, tourism would not only generate economic growth but also strengthen cultural identity and pride among the younger generation.
Current Gaps and Challenges
Nagaland’s tourism potential remains untapped because of multiple hurdles. Poor roads, weak transport and a shortage of quality hotels make many destinations hard to reach. Promotion is minimal with little online visibility, weak marketing and few tour packages to attract visitors. Tourism is overly dependent on the Hornbill Festival, leaving no year-round plan to sustain arrivals. Government support is slow, with limited investment in eco-tourism and heritage projects. At the community level locals lack training in hospitality, guiding and tourism services, while community-based initiatives remain underdeveloped.
Way Forward
To unlock Nagaland’s tourism potential, the government and private sector must work together to improve infrastructure, transport and amenities. Festivals beyond Hornbill must be promoted aggressively so visitors have reasons to come throughout the year. Trekking routes, eco-lodges and adventure experiences can attract a younger global audience. A strong digital presence from social media campaigns to virtual tours is essential to put Nagaland on the global map. At the same time, training locals in guiding, hospitality and languages will make tourism inclusive and sustainable. Public private partnerships should be encouraged to draw investments into hotels, resorts and adventure parks.
The Bigger Picture
The state cannot afford to remain one of the least visited destinations in the North East when it has all the ingredients to become one of the most sought-after. Tourism is not just about visitors; it is about identity, economy and pride. For Nagaland, this sector could become one of the largest contributors to its economy and employment if given the right attention. The Hornbill Festival has shown what is possible but Nagaland must now move beyond being “The Land of Festivals for 10 Days.” With vision, investment and planning, the state can truly emerge as a hidden treasure waiting to shine on the world stage.
