Nagaland’s first ever Longkhum Cherry Blossom Festival, held from 22nd to 24th November 2023 received praises and drew over 8,000 visitors. Organized by the Longkhum Tourism Development under the Longkhum Village Council, the three-day event was aimed at uplifting tourism in Mokokchung’s Longkhum village, located around 17 to 20 kms from main Mokokchung Town.
Despite initial apprehensions, the community-led initiative surpassed expectations, emphasizing the potential of grassroots efforts in tourism development. Pangeryabang, the Convener of the Organizing Committee, conveyed contentment with the festival’s success, stating, “Organizing such a large-scale event without prior experience raised concerns, but it proved to be highly successful—surpassing our expectations. The feedback was tremendous.”
Featuring vibrant cultural displays by various artists, food stalls, and various self help groups, the Longkhum Cherry Blossom Festival garnered participation from people of all walks of life, with over 8,000 registrations as estimated by the organizing committee. Pangeryabang credited the community’s support and collective effort for the event’s success, even without government support.
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The Convener of the Organizing Committee expressed excitement about the next year’s edition, stating, “We are eager for the next edition as the public response was overwhelming.” Plans are in motion to enhance and expand the Longkhum Cherry Blossom Festival, aiming for an even more significant impact next year.
Additionally, the Tourism Committee hopes to attract tourists not only from the national but also international spheres. They mentioned having experienced many in the first edition and are looking forward to planning the future for Longkhum Village tourism.
