Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » PAP Uncertainty Fails To Deter Tourists; Global Interest Fuels Nagaland’s Call For Permanent Permit Lifting Published on
December 8, 2025An undeniably robust attendance of foreign tourists has been documented at the ongoing Hornbill Festival, a major annual cultural exposition held in Nagaland. This sustained international interest was noted even though uncertainties were surrounding the status of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime, which governs the entry of non-citizens into the region. The festival, celebrated with immense fervour, continues to serve as a magnet for global visitors, drawing them to the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, where the ten-day cultural spectacle is traditionally staged.This strong international presence underscores the festival’s burgeoning reputation as a significant event on the global cultural calendar, proving that the allure of Nagaland’s distinctive heritage transcends logistical obstacles. The steady flow of visitors, originating from diverse nations across several continents, offers substantial evidence of the state’s potential to become a globally accessible tourism destination. A vibrant cultural exchange is currently being facilitated, allowing the intricate traditions and unique societal structures of the Naga people to be appreciated by an international audience, thereby reinforcing the state’s status as a keeper of irreplaceable cultural assets.Advertisement The Contextualization of the Protected Area Permit RegimeThe matter of the Protected Area Permit has been a central regulatory topic influencing foreign travel to Nagaland. Shortly before the commencement of the festival, a partial and temporary relaxation of the PAP was enacted by the Union government. This eleventh-hour decision followed a formal appeal that had been made by the Nagaland Chief Minister to the Union Home Minister, emphasizing the need to facilitate tourism, ease travel, and foster stronger ties with partner nations participating in the annual event. It must be recognized, however, that the relief provided was explicitly partial and temporary in nature; the waiver was stipulated to remain in force only until midnight on December 10, coinciding with the conclusion of the Hornbill Festival.It is relevant to recall that the PAP regime had previously been withdrawn from Nagaland in March 2025, an action that was directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Consequently, standard procedure mandates that all foreigners intending to visit or reside within the state’s boundaries are r …
