Nagaland is set to open the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival on December 1 with six international partners and an expanded line-up of events across the state, as officials project a larger economic footprint and renewed cultural outreach this year.
At a press briefing at the Tourism Directorate, Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along, accompanied by senior officials, said the festival continues to grow in scale and ambition. Countries partnering this year include France, the United Kingdom, Austria, Malta, Ireland and Switzerland, while Arunachal Pradesh joins as the partner state.
Along said the government’s focus this year is on building stronger cultural and institutional links with partner countries and states, while also positioning Kisama as a year-round cultural space. The main arena at the heritage site has been renamed the Unity Arena for this edition. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla will be the chief host at the inaugural program, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as the host.
In an effort to decentralize the festival, the government is organizing parallel events across Nagaland. A three-day extension will be held at the Konyak Heritage Village in Mon district from December 8 to 10.
Along said heritage practices are “particularly strong” in the eastern districts and expressed hope that the Mon event will grow into a major centre for showcasing art and tradition.
Other districts are hosting their own programmes: a carnival in Dimapur from December 6, the Doyang Festival in Wokha, and additional events in Zunheboto and several other districts.
The Tourism Department was allocated Rs 7 crore for this year’s festival, though Along said several departments contribute additional spending. On job creation, he disputed the widely circulated figure of 7,000, saying the number is “more than that” when counting all forms of seasonal work linked to the festival.
He said business generated at Kisama alone is estimated at Rs 60–70 crore, and when connected with revenue from taxis, restaurants, homestays, hotels, artisans and related sectors, the total economic impact crosses Rs 189 crore.
Asked about unfinished infrastructure at Kisama, Along said persistent bad weather “created havoc” despite early preparations.
Although not the central focus of planning, the Protected Area Permit (PAP) became a last-minute concern for organizers after the Centre reinstated the requirement last year. Following repeated appeals from the state, the Ministry of Home Affairs has granted a temporary ten-day relaxation from December 1 to midnight of December 10 for foreign tourists. The exemption does not apply to nationals of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Along said the PAP process is “not difficult” and urged visitors “not to feel frustrated,” saying the permit can be obtained at the airport in about 15 minutes if required.
Nagaland hosts international roundtable ahead of festival
Meanwhile, Nagaland is also leveraging its flagship Hornbill Festival to position itself as a hub for international diplomacy and investment, with the state hosting an Inaugural Roundtable and Networking Dinner on November 30 at the Banquet Hall of Hotel Vivor, Kohima.
According to a report from DIPR, the roundtable was organized by the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), which brought together government officials, industry stakeholders, and senior diplomats, including the ambassadors of France, Ireland, Switzerland, and the High Commissioner of Malta.
The roundtable is reportedly designed to translate these partnerships into actionable opportunities, with a focus on sectors such as tourism, trade, technology, infrastructure, education, health, and cultural industries.
According to IDAN, the sessions aim to facilitate policy dialogue, investment pipelines, joint ventures, and cross-border collaborations, turning the festival into a platform where cultural exchange meets economic opportunity.
“By pairing international and national partners with local entrepreneurs and institutions, the Hornbill Festival becomes more than a cultural showcase – it becomes a bridge between heritage, innovation, and commerce,” said Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of IDAN, who chaired the program.
Country partners emphasized the potential for cooperation across diverse sectors, including education, sports, food processing, digital initiatives, and agriculture, signaling a growing international interest in Nagaland as an emerging hub for strategic and economic engagement in Northeast India.
The roundtable is expected to set the tone for a series of high-level engagements during the festival, including B2B meetings, stakeholder sessions, and follow-up investment discussions, consolidating Nagaland’s vision of building long-term international and regional partnerships, it said.