Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has linked the state’s tourism recovery to improvements in law and order, visitor facilities and tourism infrastructure, saying the sector cannot regain momentum without a peaceful environment. He made the remarks at a World Tourism Day 2026 programme at Sangai Ethnic Park in Moirang Khunou, Bishnupur district, as the state government announced new digital and community-based measures to support tourism.
Khemchand said Manipur attracted around 1.75 lakh tourists annually before the crisis that began in 2023. He said the state’s tourism position had since reversed as neighbouring destinations recorded sharp increases in arrivals. According to figures cited by the chief minister, Mizoram’s annual tourist arrivals have crossed eight lakh, while Sikkim’s have crossed 17 lakh.
The chief minister attributed Manipur’s decline to the prolonged crisis and said restoring tourist confidence would require collective efforts. “The govt alone cannot bring peace in the state,” he said, calling for the involvement of all stakeholders. His remarks placed the security environment alongside physical tourism infrastructure as a condition for rebuilding the industry.
Khemchand also said beautification of tourist destinations would not be sufficient. The state, he said, needed better itineraries, visitor facilities and infrastructure capable of meeting the expectations of foreign tourists. The comments point to a wider tourism challenge in which attractions alone may not translate into arrivals unless visitors can access reliable services and plan journeys across destinations.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Khemchand jointly attended the event, held around the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”. Bhalla launched the Manipur Tech Innovation Foundation portal, while the chief minister relaunched the revamped Explore Manipur — Reimagining Tourism portal. The platforms are intended to improve the way visitors discover and experience the state’s destinations, according to statements at the programme.
Bhalla said Manipur’s tourism strength extended beyond its landscapes and monuments to its people, communities and distinct traditions of welcoming visitors. He also said the government was promoting homestays, allowing local families to convert their homes into tourist accommodation so that tourism income could reach grassroots communities.
The emphasis on homestays gives the recovery plan a local economic dimension. Instead of concentrating tourism revenue only around established hotels and major destinations, the model is designed to involve households and communities directly. Its effectiveness will depend on the availability of safe accommodation, basic services, digital visibility and visitor confidence, all of which were identified at the event as important parts of the tourism ecosystem.
Tourism minister Khuraijam Loken Singh described tourism as an important source of revenue and development for Manipur. He said unity among the state’s 36 communities was essential for peace and development, linking the tourism sector to the broader social conditions required for travel and local enterprise.
The state government also announced that North East United FC will bring an Indian Super League match to Manipur for the first time. The match is scheduled for November 24. The event is expected to add a sports-related attraction to the state’s tourism calendar, although the government’s immediate tourism programme remains focused on restoring normalcy, improving facilities, expanding digital access and encouraging community participation.
