From a small village initiative to a growing tourism event, Longkhum’s Cherry Blossom Festival returns for its third edition from November 27-29. Just a few years ago, the village had no festival, but the event has since attracted tourists, supported local families’ incomes, and put Longkhum on Nagaland’s tourism map.
Imtisüngkum, convener of the festival, recalled its origins with a smile. “It all began with a group of friends discussing how we could start a festival,” he said. “The idea was simple: ease the burden of fundraising during November-December for local officials and create something enjoyable for the village. The first edition turned out to be a huge success.”
The impact was immediate. “Some families could actually earn enough to pay their children’s school fees from the festival,” he added. Encouraged by this, the village geared up for the second edition, focusing on putting Longkhum firmly on Nagaland’s tourism map.
The results speak for themselves. According to Imtisüngkum, the festival led to a surge in visitors, prompting the formation of the Longkhum Tourism Board. “Even though some visitors are unaccounted for, the rise in tourists is noticeable.
People are calling the Tourism Board for advice and permission to enter the village. Researchers, teams like Dreamz Unlimited, and other film crews have also visited, showing growing interest,” he said.
Tourism has provided more than just visitors. Locals have started earning through guiding services, handicrafts, and handloom sales. “We’re not charging for entry yet, but formal guides can earn pocket money, and handicrafts have become a small but meaningful source of income,” said Imtisüngkum.
Longkhum, a village known for its tomato produce, is also exploring agro-tourism. According to Imtisüngkum, the Longkhum Tourism Board is looking into it, with plans for a future Tomato Festival to celebrate the village’s produce.
This year’s edition of the Cherry Blossom Festival promises to be bigger and more engaging. A new Ao folk song competition, open to all groups, aims to promote traditional music, while popular bands such as Divine Connection and Stereo Groove will perform to draw crowds.
However, the biggest boost for Longkhum’s tourism has been the recognition by the Northeast Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA). In September 2025, he said, NEIDA adopted Longkhum village for three years to help it develop eco-tourism.
NEIDA, a not-for-profit organization working across Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland since 2012, partners with village councils to ensure tourism benefits the local community. Locals receive training in hospitality, guiding, spoken English, sanitation, waste management, and basic business skills such as accounting and booking. Rotation systems for homestays and guiding roles ensure that all community members benefit.
Currently, Longkhum has five trained homestays. Under NEIDA’s guidance, the village is also developing the “Rito area,” a few kilometers from the main settlement, into a full-fledged tourist destination. Plans include solar-powered lighting, camping sites, trekking trails, and other eco-tourism facilities. This initiative will be NEIDA’s first project in Mokokchung district.
“Under the Tourism Board, we have the Longkhum Cherry Blossom Committee and Longkhum Eco Tourism, which looks after agro-tourism, handicrafts, and handlooms,” said Imtisüngkum, who also serves as the board’s president. “The goal is to create sustainable tourism that benefits the whole village while preserving our natural and cultural heritage.”
From a small idea among friends to a festival that now attracts visitors, researchers, and film crews, Longkhum’s journey shows how community-driven initiatives can reshape a village’s future. As the cherry blossoms bloom again this November, the Longkhum Cherry Blossom Festival has unlocked the village’s tourism potential and put it firmly on Nagaland’s map.