Kohima's Polo Hotel opens, aims to be Nagaland's first five-star

Polo Hotel Kohima, a new luxury hotel at New Minister Hill in Nagaland's capital, was inaugurated on Saturday, October 24. The group behind it says it will seek five-star classification, which would make it the state's first five-star hotel.

Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav inaugurated the hotel. Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along attended as the honoured guest.

What the Governor said

Yadav said Nagaland's natural beauty, culture, festivals and hospitality offered big opportunities for tourism, which made quality accommodation and professional service more important.

He urged the management to build strong links with local entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers and food producers, and to promote local products, traditional cuisine and indigenous art so that tourism benefits communities, especially young people. He called for responsible waste management, energy efficiency and respect for local traditions.

Pointing to the Hornbill Festival and Kohima's history, the Governor said the state could draw visitors all year round. He said the sector's long-term success would depend on service quality, cleanliness, safety and professional standards, and stressed public-private partnership in tourism infrastructure.

Minister calls it a milestone

Along described the hotel as a milestone for the state's hospitality sector and hoped it would set a benchmark. He encouraged businesses to invest in Nagaland and said the Tourism Department would continue to back such investment.

He noted Kohima's historical significance, particularly the Battle of Kohima in the Second World War, and urged people to protect institutions like the hotel for future generations.

Naga design, local hiring

Deval Tibrewalla, whole-time director and CEO of Polo Hotel Group, said the hotel was designed to reflect Nagaland's identity, using Naga textiles, local art and traditional design. He said it would work with local weavers, artists, farmers, carpenters and other suppliers, and offer hospitality training to local youth.

He said the Hornbill Festival brings global attention to Nagaland for ten days every year, and the hotel aims to help promote the state beyond the festival.

Why it matters

Kohima's hotel capacity comes under heavy pressure during the Hornbill Festival in December. The hotel is pitched as a venue for official functions, government events and social gatherings as well as tourists.