Nagaland is set to host the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival from December 1 at Kisama, with the State announcing preparations, partner participation and procedural relaxations for foreign tourists.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Directorate of Tourism on Sunday, Tourism & Higher Education minister Temjen Imna Along said the festival would commence on Nagaland Statehood Day and recalled that the silver jubilee was celebrated last year. He informed that this year’s edition would also mark the beginning of activities at the newly renamed “Unity Arena,” part of the nearly completed stadium project at Kisama.
Along said six country partners—France, Ireland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Malta and Austria—and a State partner, Arunachal Pradesh, would participate.
He stated that the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister would lead the visiting delegation and added that Nagaland aimed to strengthen cultural exchanges and networking with partner countries “to amplify the State of Nagaland.”
He announced extensions of the festival to various districts. At Mohn in Mon district, celebrations will be held from December 8–10 at the Konyak Heritage Village, which he described as a premier event for eastern Nagaland.
Dimapur will host its Hornbill Carnival from December 6, Doyang in Wokha will feature water-based activities under the Doyang Festival, and Zunheboto and other regions will hold associated events. He said the State hoped visitors would experience “experiential tourism” through decentralised celebrations.
The minister said the Tourism department, as the nodal agency, was supported by departments including Art & Culture, Horticulture, Industries, Agriculture, Sports, IDAN and others.
He thanked the Police, Power, PHED and officials led by chief secretary. He acknowledged that incessant rains had impacted preparations, but engineering teams had been working “night and day” to complete essential works.
He appreciated churches, youth, influencers and festival participants, adding that the Hornbill Festival had grown into an international event under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio, whose initiatives had brought “a sea change” in global perception of Nagaland.
On the Protected Area Permit (PAP), Along confirmed that procedures had been relaxed for foreign visitors following last-minute intervention by the chief minister and departments concerned. He clarified that PAP remained mandatory but that steps were eased at airports to reduce waiting time. He said the process generally took 15 minutes with good internet and appealed to tourists not to feel frustrated. The relaxation applies to all foreign visitors except those from Pakistan, Bangladesh and China.
On expectations from partner countries, Along said Nagaland had benefited in resource mobilisation, skill development, education and cultural exchanges. Referring to the inauguration of the Kohima Peace Memorial & Eco-Park under Japan’s JICA programme, he said the project reflected Japan’s commitment to peace rooted in Second World War history. Japanese language courses at Tetso College and Science College and ongoing research collaborations were among areas of cooperation.
Regarding the eastern Hornbill celebrations, he said all tribes from the region were expected to participate and observed that heritage and traditional practices were “much stronger in the eastern part,” expressing hope that the Mon event would take the festival “deep into their villages and history.”
When asked about reports claiming Rs.189 crore in revenue and 7,000 jobs generated during last year’s festival, Along said the figures were provided by statistical authorities but described them as “too low.” He claimed revenue likely crossed Rs.200-300 crore, stating that business at Kisama alone may reach Rs.60–70 crore. He said direct and indirect employment included artisans, vendors, transporters, homestays, restaurants, artists and musicians, noting that over 800 artists perform each year. He said hotels and homestays were already fully booked.
Along said the department was sanctioned Rs.7 crore for the festival. On paid entry for the Hornbill Music Festival, he said the fee was minimal and necessary to make the event self-sustaining, noting that visitors in neighbouring states regularly paid higher rates.
On infrastructure works at Kisama, Along clarified that the main arena was not being reconstructed but was undergoing work under a two-year master plan scheduled for completion by March 2026. He said last year’s structures represented only one phase of the project.
Earlier, Tourism director Veyielo Doulo thanked the press for consistently supporting the Hornbill Festival, calling them “ambassadors” of the event. He informed that department-managed temporary stalls had increased to about 150 this year. Entry fees were standardised at Rs.150 for all visitors—local, domestic and foreign—while children in school uniform would be considered separately. Officials said waste monitoring and maintenance would be carried out jointly with municipal authorities and local stakeholders.
When asked how students in uniform would be identified, Doulo said the department would work out necessary arrangements.
Minister apologises for ‘Chief Angh’ error
Responding to a query on an Instagram post that labelled the Governor of Nagaland and Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, as “Chief Angh,” Along issued an apology on behalf of the Tourism Department. He said the error was unintentional, requested the Konyak community not to take it personally and confirmed that the post had been removed.