Polo Hotel Kohima opens in Nagaland, aiming to boost tourism, create local jobs and support local businesses
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KOHIMA — Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav inaugurated Polo Hotel Kohima at New Minister Hill on Saturday night, marking the launch of an establishment expected to become the state’s first five-star hotel, although its five-star classification is yet to be completed.
The hotel is being developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model following a 30-year lease agreement signed between the department of Tourism, government of Nagaland, and Hotel Polo Towers Group in 2023.
Addressing the inauguration programme, the governor described the establishment as a welcome development, saying a well-managed hotel could support tourism, facilitate business activities, host official and social engagements, and provide a comfortable experience for visitors to the state.
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“The inauguration of a new hospitality establishment is not merely the opening of a hotel; it represents an investment in the future of the region, the creation of livelihood opportunities, and a commitment to welcoming visitors with warmth and professionalism,” he said.
He noted that as Nagaland continued to attract greater attention as a tourism destination, the need for quality accommodation and professional hospitality services was becoming increasingly important.
The governor said tourism should create meaningful experiences while ensuring that local communities benefited from the opportunities it generated.
He said the sector could stimulate entrepreneurship, promote local products, create employment for youths and strengthen the state’s economic prospects.
He encouraged the management of Polo Hotels Group to build strong links with local entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, food producers and service providers. Locally sourced products, traditional cuisine, indigenous art and local talent should find a place in the hotel’s operations wherever possible, he said, adding that this would help extend the benefits of tourism beyond the hotel premises.
The governor also stressed that hospitality must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility, calling for sustainable practices, responsible waste management, energy efficiency and respect for local traditions to be integral to tourism infrastructure.
He said the long-term success of the hospitality industry would depend not only on infrastructure but also on service quality, professional standards, cleanliness, safety and the warmth with which guests were received. He expressed hope that the hotel would uphold these values while reflecting the distinctive character and hospitality of Nagaland.
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Founder, Chairman and Whole-time Director of Hotel Polo Towers Group Kishan Tibrewalla said the group would strive to provide world-class comfort, maintain high standards of cleanliness and service, incorporate Naga hut designs, and remain respectful towards the local community.
He said the group currently operated eight hotels across six states and hoped to increase the number to 14 over the next three years. The group would also begin work in Dimapur soon, he added.
Tibrewalla said the Kohima hotel would incorporate local designs and architecture in its rooms and include locally grown food in its menus. He expressed hope that the establishment would be classified as a five-star hotel.
Minister for Tourism Temjen Imna Along said the hotel would begin functioning and be placed in the five-star rating category. He also said the establishment would contribute proper government revenue.
Along challenged the business community to take bold steps to invest in Nagaland’s future, saying the state needed leaders who believed in a prosperous and progressive Nagaland. He said the state government and Tourism Department would partner with the group.
CEO and Whole-time Director of the group Deval Tibrewalla said most of the employees at the Kohima hotel are locals. He assured that the hotel would source products from local weavers, artists, farmers and carpenters.
He said hospitality had been practised in Nagaland for centuries before it was promoted through brochures, adding that the group hoped to contribute to the state’s tourism sector. Advisor for Industries and Commerce Hekani Jakhalu also spoke briefly at the event.