Newmai News Network
KOHIMA, DEC 11: The just concluded 25th edition of the annual Hornbill Festival, at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama in Kohima, drew a total of 2,05,968 visitors over the course of ten days. The festival, which concluded on December 10, saw a remarkable increase of 33.7% in footfall compared to last year, which recorded 1,54,057 attendees.
As per the data given by the Directorate of Tourism, this year’s Hornbill Festival attracted a diverse crowd, with 2,527 foreign tourists, 56,217 domestic tourists, and 1,47,224 local attendees.
Day-10 saw the highest attendance, with 32,081 visitors, making it the peak day in terms of turnout. The final day of the festival also witnessed the highest number of local attendees, with 23,816 people in attendance. The first day of the festival recorded the highest number of foreign visitors, with 513 tourists, while day-8 saw the largest number of domestic visitors, reaching 9,342. On the other hand, day-4 had the lowest turnout, with 14,502 visitors.
Related | 25th Hornbill Festival Comes to Spectacular End
This year’s edition of the festival witnessed significant growth across all categories of attendees. The number of foreign tourists increased from 2,108 in 2023 to 2,375 in 2024. Domestic visitors also saw a sharp rise, from 37,089 last year to 56,217 this year. Additionally, local attendance grew from 1,14,860 to 1,47,224, reflecting the festival’s deepening connection with the local population and its appeal to a wider audience.
The Hornbill Festival, known for showcasing the diverse cultures and traditions of Nagaland, continues to grow in prominence as a major cultural and tourism event in India. As the ‘Festival of Festivals’ celebrated its 25th edition, it further cemented its position as one of the most anticipated events of the year, attracting tourists from around the world and fostering a stronger appreciation for the region’s heritage.
Also read | Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights Commemorates Human Rights Day
Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio has said today that the Hornbill Festival has elevated Nagaland state’s reputation on the global stage.
Rio expressed this while congratulating on the successful completion of the 25th Edition of the Hornbill Festival which concluded a day ago. This year marks a historic milestone as “we commemorated 25 years of this iconic festival, a matter of immense pride for all citizens of Nagaland,” Rio also said.
Rio then said the policy of partner countries of the Hornbill Festival and states has added a multi-dimensional aspect to the festival, fostering collaborations, partnerships, and developmental possibilities. The Music Festival has transcended boundaries, positioning Nagaland as an international music destination and providing unparalleled platforms for our young talents within our state, he also said. “Most importantly, our collective goal of promoting, preserving, and celebrating our age-old traditions, rich cultural heritage, and the Naga way of life continues to be strengthened through this event”, the chief minister added.
Must read | 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs Write to PM Modi to Expedite SA, end Conflict
Rio then said that, while celebrating the resounding success of the festival’s 25th edition, it is important to acknowledge the challenges we faced this year, particularly in light of the natural calamities and hardships of recent months. Despite these adversities, several government departments worked tirelessly, completing multiple projects on a war footing in record time, he stated. These achievements underscore the immense potential for Nagaland to achieve accelerated progress when all government and supporting agencies work in unison with the same zeal and commitment, Rio added.
Neiphiu Rio then mentioned that the success of the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival is a triumph for the Naga people. “Every citizen of Nagaland is a stakeholder in this unique and unparalleled festival, which showcases not only our cultural richness and soft power but also the unity of our people, and congratulates all concerned for their noble service,” he added.
Also read | 2nd edition of Tangkhul Language and Literature Festival held in Imphal
About The Author
