In 2023, according to the state tourism department, over 1,96,000 tourists visited Mizoram, of which 1,93,445 were domestic and 3,435 were foreigners. Over 1,96,000 tourists including foreigners visited Mizoram in the year 2023, the state Tourism department said. A total of 1,96,880 tourists visited the north-eastern state in 2023 of which 1,93,445 were domestic and 3,435 were foreigners, the state tourism department said. With 1,162 tourists, Americans topped the list of foreigners visiting the north-eastern state, it said, adding that tourists from other foreign countries including Japan, Australia, Israel, Canada, and the United Kingdom, also visited Mizoram last year. The tourist footfall in 2022-23 was over 2.22 lakh of which 2.18 lakh were domestic tourists and 3,551 were foreigners. The tourist footfall in the state was minimal during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was 20,564 in 2020-21 and 1.32 lakh in 2021-22. Mizoram is famous for its stunning landscapes, which include rolling hills, serene valleys, and cascading waterfalls. The state is also rich in flora and fauna. The north-eastern state has several tourist destinations or attractions and the most famous are Reiek Tlang (the highest hilltop in the state) located about 29 km from Aizawl, Vantawng Falls, Phawngpui peak, Hmuifang Tlang (hill station), Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary, Murlen National Park, Tamdil or Tam lake (largest natural lake in the state) and Mizo heritage villages in Falkawn and Reiek (model village depicting the lifestyle of the Mizo people). Mizoram tourism is making headway with a ‘responsible’ tourism policy that came into force in August 2020, it said. The ‘responsible’ tourism policy envisages a sustainable development strategy, coordination, strengthening institutional framework, and skill development. The policy also focuses on making tourism a tool for the development of villages and local communities, eradicating poverty, and providing a livelihood for the local population while upholding the principles of economic, social, and environmental responsibilities. In the past, foreigners had to obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) from the Union Home Ministry to travel to Mizoram. However, the Home Ministry has suspended PAP, and all foreigners except from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China are now exempted from PAP. Although PAP is no longer required for foreign tourists, every foreigner has to report themselves at the Foreigner Registration Office in Aizawl within 24 hours of their arrival in Mizoram. In Brief ITC subsidiary Fortune Hotels to open a new hotel every month in FY25
Fortune Hotels, the fully owned ITC subsidiary is planning to open a new hotel every month in India and abroad in the current financial year. The hospitality sector in India is growing at a rapid pace, given the number of new hotels coming up across the country. Major international brands are looking at opening new properties over the next few years and joining this bandwagon is Fortune Hotels. The fully-owned ITC subsidiary is planning to open a new hotel every month in the current financial year. Managing Director of Fortune Hotels Samir MC said that the expansion plans of Fortune Hotels, which recently opened its first international hotel — Fortune Resort & Wellness Spa Bhaktapur in Nepal – is a significant milestone in the company’s “beyond borders” expansion strategy. “Following on the heels of this opening, we are poised to open at least four to six more hotels in the first half of the fiscal year in unique destinations like Kevadia (Ekta Nagar, Gujarat), Candolim (Goa), Palampur (Himachal Pradesh), and a beach resort in Chennai amongst others and an equal number in H2 (second half: October-March),” Samir said. “This pace aligns with our goal of establishing a new hotel almost every month in this fiscal year, marking significant progress towards our expansion targets,” he added. India among the fastest growing markets aim for 100 more hotels by 2030: Marriott International president Elaborating on the challenges for India’s hospitality sector, Samir said economic uncertainties, such as fluctuations in exchange rates, geo-political tensions, and global economic downturns, can impact travel demand and consumer spending, posing challenges for hotels in terms of revenue management, occupancy rates, and profitability. He cited the increasing global travel trends, driven by rising disposable incomes, a desire for unique experiences, and improved accessibility, as “significant opportunities” for the hospitality sector to attract a diverse range of travellers. Meanwhile, Minor Hotels said on May 3 that it was planning to open 50 properties over the next 10 years as it opened Bengaluru office and counts down to Anantara’s debut in Mumbai. Minor Hotels a global hotel owner and operator with more than 540 properties in 56 countries, is set to intensify its presence in the dynamic Indian hospitality market, targeting 50 new openings within the next decade. The group will focus its strategy on the upper-upscale and luxury hotel segments, where it expects strong interest from owners in its well-established Anantara, Avani, and NH Collection brands. For Anantara Hotels & Resorts, the group is building on core brand differentiators by targeting opportunities in Ayurvedic wellness retreats, wilderness lodges, and historical palaces. It also believes Avani Hotels & Resorts is well-positioned to fill a significant gap in the lifestyle hotel space across India, while NH Collection Hotels & Resorts will prove attractive for upper-upscale conversion opportunities.
