Foreigner & DomesticTourists Cancels Sikkim Holidays Plans

Army Jawan rescued from Quake zone

Gangtok,Sept. 21: The tremor has taken its toll on the tourism sector with a good number of foreigners cancelling their trips to Sikkim.

The tour operators hope that domestic tourists will stick to their travel plans for the festive season and are keeping their fingers crossed.

The cancellation of bookings has come as a double whammy for the tour operators as many hotels in Sikkim have been damaged in the quake.

“It would take time for the situation to turn normal in Sikkim. Cracks and crevices have appeared in hotels, which need repairs. Thousands of tourists flock to our state during Durga Puja and Diwali. But a large number of foreigners cancelled their bookings after the tremor,” said Lukendra Rasaily, the secretary of the Travel Agents’ Association of Sikkim.

“There have been no cancellations by domestic tourists yet; so, we are banking on them now.”

Rasaily said 50-odd tourists, including two Norwegian women, were left stranded at Lachung in North Sikkim after the earthquake. “We have no information about a group who had gone for a trek to Dzongri. Tourists in Lachung are safe and in good health.”

The quake has come as a major jolt to the tourism sector which had just started recovering in north Bengal and Sikkim after years of tumult in the Darjeeling hills.

“The tourism industry was affected by strikes and road blockades in the hills in the past three-four years. After the signing of the GTA agreement, things had started to look up and we had expected a brisk business during the Puja holidays. There were indications that thousands would pour in with reservations full on trains and buses and almost no rooms lying vacant in destinations like Gangtok, Darjeeling and Lataguri,” said a Siliguri-based tour operator.

“But the tourists are apprehensive after the natural disaster that claimed many lives and maimed many people and caused immense damage to properties. We don’t know what is there in store for us.”

The hoteliers now hope the domestic tourists would save their day.

“We are flooded with inquiries from domestic visitors. Fortunately, there have been no cancellations by them so far,” Samrat Sanyal, the president of the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association, told The Telegraph over the phone from Ahmedabad.

The association is doing its bit to keep people posted of the situation after the quake.

“We have a two-fold task now. First, we will collect updates on roads and other developments and post them on the Internet. Second, our members will visit destinations like Lava, Kalimpong and Darjeeling and assess the damage caused by the earthquake,” said Raj Basu, an adviser to the association.

Singapore Tour Operators discuss strategies for Sikkim tourism promotion

GANGTOK, July 26: The three member team of Singapore Tour Operators on its final day of Sikkim visit met the members of Sikkim Association of Adventure Tour Operators (SAATO) in Gangtok on July 26 and discussed upon various aspects through which Sikkim tourism can be promoted in Singapore and vice versa.


The prime purpose of the visit by the Singapore team was to explore the potential of Sikkim in tourism and tourism potential areas and also to observe what Sikkim has to offer to the people of Singapore so that it can be marketed. This encounter of Singapore team and Sikkim tourism stakeholders will now bilaterally assist marketing of the tourism of both ends.
In the meeting with the SAATO members, SAATO Advisor PK Dong emphasizing on promotion of Sikkim tourism in Singapore informed that only 700 tourists from Singapore visit Sikkim annually. The total number of international tourists visiting India every year is 4 million while it is more than 10 million in case of Singapore.

One of the members of Singapore Tour Operators Teng Suet Heong Susan appreciating the hospitality of Sikkim said that Sikkim has many potential domains to offer to the people of Singapore as far as tourism is concerned like eco-tourism, homestays, pilgrimage tourism etc. However, she laid extra emphasis on promotion of tourism in Singapore saying only handful of Singapore people, who are inclined to pilgrimage tourism or Buddhism, know about Sikkim as it comes under the Buddhism circuit but generally the people of Singapore have not heard about Sikkim.

The Singapore team observed adventure and photography as marketing tools for Sikkim.

Gujrat Chief Minister Modi on Sikkim tourism recce

Gangtok, Oct. 15: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi arrived here today on a brief vacation and spent the day visiting the tourist spots in town.

However, sources in the government said Modi’s schedule suggested that he was on a mission to study the state’s tourism assets and to see how industry had grown in Sikkim.

Senior government officials, including East district collector D. Anandan and police superintendent M.S. Tuli, received Modi, who has come with only an aide, at the Libing helipad where he flew in on a chopper from Bagdogra this morning. A heavy security blanket had been thrown around him.

After taking rest in a hotel, Modi visited the directorate of handloom and handicrafts and interacted with artists. He then drove to the Himalayan Zoological Park, the Tashi View Point and the Namgyal Institute of Technology.

In the evening, the visiting chief minister strolled down MG Marg, shook hands with a few local people and exchanged pleasantries with the bystanders.

“He asked me how I was doing. It was really nice of him,” said Sonam Bhutia, who had come to see the man about “whom she had read so much”.

Modi, however, kept mum when asked what he felt about Sikkim. Instead, he did a namaste to the journalists at MG Marg.

Tomorrow, after a visit to the India-China border at Nathu-la, Modi will meet governor B.P. Singh and chief minister Pawan Chamling. On October 17, he will fly to South and West districts to visit tourist spots before returning to Gangtok.

Modi is scheduled to leave Sikkim on October 18

Heliports in Sikkim for Niche Tourism

Gangtok,October15: The Secretary, Union Ministry of Tourism, Sujit Banerjee has issued a statement on the status of Tourism on the occasion of All India Editors’ Conference on Social Sector and Infrastructural Issues being held in Srinagar which was addressed by him. In his statement Mr. Banerjee has said that the Ministry is trying to promote Niche Tourism which includes Heliport Tourism. With a view to promote tourist destinations in hilly and remote areas of the country, the Ministry of Tourism has issued guidelines to extend financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for construction of heliports under the Scheme of Product/ Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits. Two projects for construction of heliports at Mangan and Geetang Khola in Sikkim have been sanctioned under this new initiative of the Ministry of Tourism. Both the projects are likely to be completed within two years.

Wet weather spells casts fear of dull tourist season

Siliguri, Oct.7: Tour operators are worried that inflow of visitors to north Bengal and Sikkim will be hit if there is no let-up in the heavy rain that has been lashing the region for the past 24 hours.

The rain comes at a time the tourism season is picking up and people are getting ready to celebrate Kali Puja.

“We saw a huge footfall of tourists during Durga Puja that was celebrated without any climatic disturbances. But we are worried that the sudden shower will disrupt roads and vacationers will not be able to make it to the hills. The weather has caused immense havoc during the tourism season earlier this year,” said Santosh Gupta, the director of Travel Junction, a Darjeeling-based tour agency.

“It is mostly south Indians who visit the region during the season that begins in mid-September and continues till the end of the year and they prefer warm climate to cold and wet weather spells. We hope that the rain does not last for too long,” he added.

Weather experts, however, forecast that the incessant rain would continue for two more days before the sky became clear.

“The heavy rain was caused by a low pressure that was formed in the region last evening. Otherwise, intermittent showers are normal at this time as the monsoon is yet to withdraw,” said Subir Sarkar, the in-charge of the weather station at North Bengal University.

Tour operators in the Dooars, too, fear the wet weather might play spoilsport for the visitors who want to view animals in Gorumara National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary.

“The bookings this time are good compared to what we had received last year. But most animals take refuge deep inside the forest and do not come out during the wet weather. The tourists will be disappointed if they cannot see the animals. If the rain persists, we will lose many tourists who fly down to visit the Dooars at this time of the year,” said Kamal Bhowmik, the secretary of the Lataguri Resort Owners’ Association

Darjeeling tourism crippled by Water tankers’ strike

DARJEELING, October 5: Giving no respite to a bandh hit tourism industry in Darjeeling, a strike called by drivers of water tankers, the elixir of the hill station, has brought an excellent tourism season here down to its knees.
The strike which began from yesterday had a rippling effect not only on the tourism stakeholders but also the common people here in the hill town. The agitating drivers are demanding that the tankers be allowed to enter the town and distribute water as per their convenience.
Talks at various levels from today morning have failed to mitigate the issue.
The resultant water scarcity have forced the hotels here to started rejecting new tourists while forcing the guests to bring their Darjeeling sojourn to an abrupt end from today.
“Water had stopped coming from yesterday and we are out of water so we are compelled to ask our guests to check out”, said a hotel owner. We are also unable to take in new guests, he added.
Almost all the hotels here depend on water tankers for their daily water supply of 15000 to 18000 litres.
After a tumultuous nine months, a good season had beckoned for the tourism industry in Darjeeling this puja break with arrival of domestic and foreign tourists in good numbers leading to packed hotels.
However, the problem posed by agitating water tanker drivers has spoiled a good ending for the tourism industry of Darjeeling. Locals are also facing water supply problems in the town area which already notorious for its meager water supply sources.
Meanwhile, the drivers are adamant that they be allowed to ply their tankers in the bazaar area as per the old timetable – till 8 am in the morning, between 11 am to 3 pm and after 6 pm in the evening.
The Darjeeling traffic police had tweaked the existing time table to allow the tankers to enter the bazaar area only between 1 pm to 4 pm in the afternoon which led to the strike call.
An offer of 12 noon to 4 pm timetable by the police to the drivers was not accepted leading to the impasse.
At the same time, the Darjeeling Hotel Owners Association has appealed to the drivers to call of their strike.
The water tanker drivers have also not allowed other private vehicles to ferry water into the town .

Truck drivers in Darjeeling have suspended till 9am tomorrow an indefinite strike they called to protest against the new timings imposed by traffic police for water supply in the town.The strike today affected the residents as well as the 300-odd hotels, which entirely depend on the trucks for the water supply.

Mitra Rai, officer-in-charge (traffic), said: “The restriction has been imposed considering the fact that tourists, who get down from trains at NJP in the morning, reach Darjeeling between 10am and 11am. We are trying to ensure that the traffic is smooth from 10am to 1pm.”

Earlier, the tankers were allowed to ply between 11am and 3pm and from 5pm to 8am.
Today, the police told the drivers that the trucks could run in the town from 12pm to 4pm everyday. A representative of the drivers said they would decide tomorrow whether they should accept the timing the police offered today.

Sikkim Tourist complaints of being fleeced

GANGTOK, October 4: The State Tourism Secretary SBS Bhadauria today expressed concern over incidents of fleecing tourists on transportation cost while visiting different places in the State.
Mr. Bhadauria also informed that the department has been receiving several complaints from the visiting tourists of charging too much at hotels and taxis especially in the State Capital. This, the secretary said was also a matter of concern for tourists, who are at present making several complaints to the department.
According to source information, one of the hotels in the Capital has been booked for overcharging after getting a compliant from the tourists. Now the department is in the process of cancelling the license of that hotel, said the source.
Speaking to media, Amit Dey, a tourist from Kolkata said, despite going through the government approved rate boards, some of the drivers in Gangtok were charging more on the pretext of waiting charge.
In this context, the secretary said that the vehicle rates have already been fixed by Motor Vehicles Department which is to be displayed clearly in every tourist vehicle. At the same time, it is informed that drivers ferrying tourists seldom comply with the government approved rate board.
Mr. Bhadauria added that the department has made mandatory to issue cash receipts for all the service provided to any customers. “Anyone found violating the guidelines will be taken serious actions by the department,” the secretary added.

Govt to put curbs on the number of tourists visiting the Himalayas

New Delhi: The government could soon place curbs on the number of tourists visiting the Himalayas. The Union ministry for environment and forests has come out with a set of guidelines to restrict tourist flow (pilgrims included) and make hill stations less crammed and dirty.
The impact of tourism on mountain ecosystems and biological resources are of great concern because of the high biodiversity and environmental sensitivity of the Himalayas. The guidelines, will discuss urbanisation, tourism, water security, energy, forest management and infrastructure to address the challenges facing the Himalayan region. It is part of one of the eight missions in National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which envisages, among other things, a National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem.

Minister of state for environment and forests, Jairam Ramesh, said that there were "valuable lessons in this document that need to be mainstreamed". Since these aspects come under the states' purview, Ramesh said it is a working document meant to guide governments on what is to be done.

The aim is to promote "sustainable tourism through adoption of 'best practice' norms of eco-friendly and responsible tourism", as stated in National Environment Policy. It seeks to implement measures to regulate tourist flow and ensure that these remain within the carrying capacity of the ecology.

The document notes the adverse effects of expansion in urban settlements -- visitors, trekkers and mountaineers have posed high biotic pressure and increased the accumulation of solid waste on the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The report notes the attempts made to address these issues in some parts of IHR and recommends they be replicated in other areas as well. Pilgrim traffic finds special mention.

The Himalayas host a number of religious/sacred sites which get millions of tourists each year. Most of these places lack adequate transport accommodation and waste disposal facilities.

In some cases, initiatives have been taken to promote sustainable tourism. For example, the Uttarakhand government has restricted the number of tourists visiting the origin of the Ganga to 150 per day.

Cultural identities are also under threat "by the economic, social and environmental forces associated with mountain tourism", the report observes.

In spite of Sikkim's effortsto place checks on tourists, tourism has grown rapidly (from nearly 15,000 tourists in 1980 to 3,50,000 in 2007 ) in the state. The report suggests that Sikkim's initiatives could be emulated by those interested in promoting responsible tourism.

Sikkim to celebrate 2010 as Year of Tourism

Gangtok, Sep30: A tentative blueprint has been charted by the Sikkim Tourism Department to have year-round activities for its most ambitious project, `2010 - Year of Tourism'.

Thirteen tourism festivals have been proposed from 2010 to February 2011. The State Government has already declared last year that the year 2010 will be celebrated as the `Year of Tourism' with an objective to reinforce the image of Sikkim as a premier tourism destination besides strengthening the village tourism in the State.

The Government is also seeking to have a 30 per cent increase in the tourism inflow during the `Year of Tourism 2010' celebrations. Around five lakh tourists have visited Sikkim in 2008-09.

SLOGAN

With this objective in mind, the State tourism department is presently engaged in coining an appropriate slogan for the upcoming Year of Tourism, to be used as a brand name for the tourism campaign.

SERVICE PROVIDERS

The advance action plans being mulled are finalising service providers for publicity, market and publishing publicity materials. Meetings and action plans with all the stakeholders such as Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS), Sikkim Association of Adventure Tour Operators (SAATO), Sikkim Hotel Restaurants Association, transport agencies and village tourism development committees will also be held.

The other plans are publishing Sikkim tourism bulletin, State tourism master plan along with Uttarey master plan, State tourism policy, garbage bags distribution and management besides management of Saramsa garden along with permanent traditional food stalls, handicraft stalls, flower stalls and cultural programmes.

Strengthening of accommodation, hotels, home stays and village tourism along with all tourism related services are included in the plan.

The State Government is keen to enforce discipline in overall tourism sector here during celebrations.

FESTIVALS

The draft plan has proposed that the year of tourism will kickstart from March-April with `Sikkim Discover Festival' followed by Rabong Discover tourism festival, Aritar tourism festival and Temi- Tarku Ram Navami festival.

The month of May will see the hosting of International Rhododendron Festival (IRF) 2010 at Shingba Lachung in North Sikkim and Varsey in West Sikkim.

The rhododendron festival has been proposed to be held from May 3 to 20. In this month, the Hee-Bermoik Cultural Heritage Festival in West Sikkim will also be held.

The `World Environment Day' which falls on June 5 will be celebrated in a grand manner. The rainy July will see plantation drives in all the tourist destinations of the State. Tourists will also be encouraged to plant saplings in the tourist destinations. Conferences, workshops, seminars and meetings will also be conducted.

A monsoon festival will be held on August 5 at Tharpu in West Sikkim.

In September, the department is proposing to have a two day `World Tourism Day' celebrations where eco-adventure, camping, village tourism and home stay activities will be organised.

The festival month of October will have two more festivals. The department has proposed to celebrate the Dusherra festival while Namchi Mahotsava in South Sikkim will also be conducted in this month.

November will have conferences, workshops, seminars and meetings on tourism related themes. Three tourism festivals have been included in December - Mangan Music Festival in North Sikkim, Khangchendzonga Festival at Pelling, West Sikkim and Gangtok Winter Festival.

The 2010 year will be signed off with a grand New Year celebration in January 2011 followed by Maghey Sankranti Mela at Jorethang in South Sikkim. A tourism festival at Yuksom in the West District is proposed inFebruary 2011 while a State flower show at White Hall complex in Gangtok has been proposed in March 2011, thereby, bringing down the curtains on the Year of Tourism

Sikkim welcomes world tourist:TAAS president Lachungpa

World Tourism Day 2009 : tourism celebrating diversity

Gangtok, September 23 : Adding perspective to the role of globalization in balancing tourism influx and environmental and cultural sustainability, this year’s theme of World Tourism Day as “Tourism - Celebrating Diversity" aims to shed light on the most human side of the industry – its capacity to build understanding, foster social inclusion, and promote higher standards of living. The Day will commemorate on coming Sunday.

Increasing awareness on tourism and its role as an industrious movement and its undeniable prospective to generate employment, state income, and other benefits whether directly or indirectly in the economy of the state is pleasing, said Palzor Lachungpa, President Travel Agent Association of Sikkim (TASS).
The theme of the year is suitable for Sikkim in view of its Bio-diversity nature as big collection in small room, he added.
Government of Sikkim declared year 2010 as tourism year and we hope world tourist will be certainly magnetize by Sikkim’s peace and Bio-diversity nature, Lachungpa added. Sikkim is the most peaceful state in India as well as world tourism destination.
He denied some media reports on sinking flow of tourist in Sikkim following Chinese incursion reports appeared in media. As per his observation, decline of tourist flow is global phenomenon of this year. Clarifying the reports of media he said, ‘I am the resident of Lachung, North Sikkim close with China border. But I never seen any extra army movement and never heard any danger. Sikkim is very peaceful and we are ready to welcome world tourist as our family guest.’
Purpose of the World Tourism Day is to promote awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value.

Sikkim Tourism Dept to celebrate World Tourism Day at Saramsa

GANGTOK, September 19: The State Tourism Department is celebrating the World Tourism Day at Saramsa Garden on September 27 with the theme ‘Tourism celebrating diversity’ with the highlight on the importance of tourism and globalization.


A press release issued by Nirmala Rasaily, Deputy Director (I&P) informs that the programme will include conference on village and wellness tourism, cultural programme, traditional food stalls and local handicraft stalls. This will encourage the people from all over the State to showcase their products, she said.

Felicitations and awards of excellence will also be conferred to the stake holders and people involved in tourism promotion in the State, it is informed.

The State Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel will be present on the occasion as the chief guest.

World Tourism Day was established in the 3rd Session of the General Assembly of World Tourism Organization in 1980 especially to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economical values.

Inner Line Permit to Sikkim relaxed for foreign tourists

GANGTOK, September 15: In a positive development for promotion of international tourism here, the Centre has accorded significant relaxation to the Protected Area regime in Sikkim besides decentralizing the powers to issue Protect Area Permits (PAP)/Restricted Area Permits (RAP).
Foreigners require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the border State of Sikkim and special permits are required to visit tourism spots like Guru Dongmar or trek along Dzongri areas near the border in West Sikkim which are declared as Restricted Areas. The whole of Sikkim is covered by the Protected Area Regime under Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order of 1958 and Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963 respectively.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has been demanding the Centre for lifting the ILP formality for attracting more foreign tourists to Sikkim. The proposal of the State Government which has been under the consideration of the Centre has finally seen some endorsement.
In a recent communiqué with the State Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs has informed its decision to delegate additional powers to Sikkim government for the issues of PAP and RAP.
The State Government is now empowered to issue PAP/RAP to foreign tourists in group of two or above ‘with a recognized travel agent’ who would act as an escort. Earlier, the permits were given only to foreign tourists in group of four or above.
However, the existing restrictions on the visit of Rumtek Monastery and restriction on the movement of Tibetan refugees need to be enforced, the Centre said.
In another noteworthy relaxation, the Centre has also allowed the State government to issue the permits to foreign tourists initially for a period of 30 days extendable to another spell of 30 days.
Earlier, only 15 days permit used to be given for foreign tourists visiting Sikkim extendable to another 15 days following an application.
Further decentralizing the permit system, the Centre has informed the State Government of its decision to entrust power for RAP/PAP to Tourist Information Centre (TIC) at Darjeeling and Melli in South Sikkim
Before this, PAP/RAP to foreign tourists was issued only from Rangpo, Siliguri, Delhi and Kolkata.
The demand for allowing Darjeeling and Melli TICs to issue permits was a major demand of the State Government keeping in view of the importance of these two centres for tourism promotion.
Once all the above relaxations are officially notified by the State Government where formal delegation of permit powers to Melli TIC will open up South and West districts for foreign tourists.
Usually, foreign tourists have to come to Rangpo TIC for the permits and then detour back to Melli for visiting South and West Districts.
The State government has been putting pressure on the Centre for relaxation on the permit system. It had explicitly told the Centre that restrictive regime imposed by the ILP formality has discouraged many of the prospective tourists to visit Sikkim.
The relaxation as intimidated to the State by the Centre is expected to make the visit of foreign tourists comfortable and could enable them to reach the interiors of rural Sikkim where rural tourism are being promoted.

Guidelines for financial packages for tourism in Sikkim

New Delhi, September 12 : Tourism Minister Kumari Selja announced the guidelines that includes financial packages for states that intend to develop such projects.

For this, the ministry will provide central assistance of up to Rs.5 crore per destination to state governments.

The ministry added that it would extend financial assistance of up to Rs.75 lakh to state governments for construction of heliports.

The guidelines specify that the projects for construction of heliports will have to conform to the technical requirements laid down by the Director General of Civil Aviation.

Already, the ministry has approved two projects in Sikkim - Mangan and Geetang Khola.

Apart from providing central financial assistance for the heliport, the government will also give aid for developing the area as a tourist hub.

For development of Mangan Tourist Axis in north Sikkim, the tourism ministry will provide Rs.3.03 crore and for Geetang Khola waterfall in West Sikkim Rs.3.02 crore will be sanctioned, officials said.
As India is known for its wellness tourism, especially because of its traditional systems of medicine — ayurveda, yoga, Unani and Siddha — the ministry plans to promote this key area too.
For this, it has revised its earlier guidelines of marketing development assistance (MDA).
Under this scheme, the wellness centres accredited by states, and travel agents and tour operators will be qualified for financial assistance to participate in wellness tourism fairs abroad.

We can work together to promote Buddhist circuit: Thai Ambassador

Gangtok, Sep 9 : Krit Kraichitti, Ambassador of Thailand to India today expressed his confidence that Sikkim and Thailand will share deeper cooperation for promoting Buddhist tourism circuit among the South East nations.
Speaking here at the fifth seminar of Indo-Thai historic and cultural linkages at Chitan Bhavan, Mr Karichitti said the Buddhist circuit is being promoted by India and South East countries like Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.

'We can work together to promote the Buddhist circuit,' he said, in his opening remarks of the seminar.

Regarding the theme of the seminar, the Thai ambassador said that culture and traditional knowledge can be used as a tool for development as his country is doing.

'We also want to promote ties between Thai film industry and Bollywood,'' he said.

He said by shooting movie and music videos by Indian film industry at Thailand will go a great way in bringing the people of the two nations closer.

Mr Kraichitti also shared his hopes that the Thai film industry will come to shoot in Sikkim which he said was a mystical Shangri-La.

He expressed hopes that the seminar will engage in fruitful deliberations for deeper cooperation between Thailand and India, particularly between Sikkim and Thailand.

Earlier, Sikkim HRD Minister N K Pradhan stressed upon the pilgrimage tourism as the link between the Himalayan state and Thailand.

Sikkim is convinced that pilgrimage tourism will be the driving force to bring the two regions together, he said, underlining the need to promote Buddhist circuit between Sikkim and Thailand.We feel that Thailand has much greater expertise on community development,'' Mr Pradhan said.

He requested the Thai government for exposure trips to the farming community and Self Help Groups of Sikkim to Thailand and sending experts from Thailand to Sikkim so that the state can replicate the success of Thailand.

--UNI

Heliport Tourism in Sikkim

Gangtok,September 09 :With a view to promote tourist destinations in hilly and remote areas of the country, the Ministry of Tourism has also issued guidelines to extend financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for construction of heliports under the Scheme of Product/ Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits.

The projects for construction of heliports will have to conform to the technical requirements prescribed by the Director General of Civil Aviation. Financial assistance will be provided for construction of heliports as a component of destination development projects. The upper limit of financial assistance for heliports has been fixed at Rs. 75 lakhs.

Two projects for construction of heliports at Mangan and Geetang Khola in Sikkim have also been sanctioned under this new initiative of the Ministry of Tourism. Both the projects are likely to be completed within two years.

For the first time any where in the country, the State of Sikkim has been granted Central Financial Assistance for two destination projects that include development of Heliport viz. Destination Development of Mangan Tourist Axis including Heliport in North Sikkim for Rs. 3.29 crore and Destination Development of Geetang Khola waterfall including Heliport in West Sikkim for Rs. 3.25 crore. These would facilitate easy access to the destination mentioned above which are of immense tourism potential, where the tourists are otherwise discouraged due to long and taxing travel through hilly roads.

Ø Mangan Tourist Axis including Heliport in North Sikkim

The Mangan Tourist Axis offers multiple options for the visitors as it envelops many places that attract the interest of tourists, scholars and nature lovers. The lower altitude zone showcase the beautiful green countryside setting with River Teesta meandering between the mountains whereas the higher altitude takes one to the snowy peaks, vast glaciers and rugged hills. There are places still unexplored and amazing splendors outside the scale of human intervention that displays the true color of Mother Nature.

Ø Destination Development of Geetang Khola waterfall including Heliport in West Sikkim

Geetang Khola waterfall is located amidst the very serene environs with awe-inspiring natural beauty and razor-edged cliffs. The existence of a voluminous waterfall cascading down the mountain about 300 feet high makes this place more significant in term of tourist interest. A large numbers of tourists also visit this place to witness the variety of rhododendrons that blossoms during April to May. This is a stopover tourist spot for visitors to onward destinations like Soreng, Daramdin, Hilley and Barsey. The place Hilley where the Heliport has been proposed is the Base camp for Barsay Rhododendron Park, which is frequented by trekkers and nature lovers.

Dhungel hands over tourism award to Sikkim CM

GANGTOK, September 1: The State Tourism Minister Bhim Prasad Dhungel handed over the award of ‘Best State of Adventure Tourism’ for the year 2009’ to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling at his official residence Mintokgang, here today.
This award was on August 28 received by Mr. Dhungel from the hands of the Governor of Orissa Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare at a function organized by Safari India magazine, held in the Banquet Hall of Hotel Ashok, New Delhi, said an IPR press release.
Zilla Adhakshya, East, Bimal Dabari, and State Tourism Secretary SBS Bhadhauria were also present on the occasion.

Sikkim receives Top State award for Adventure Tourism

GANGTOK, August 29: Making it the fifteenth tourism award since 1999, the Sikkim Government has received another tourism award indicating the healthy endorsement of brand Sikkim Tourism.
A press release from State Tourism secretary SBS Bhadhauria released by State IPR department informs that the editorial board of Safari India had selected Sikkim for an award in the category ‘The Best State for Adventure Tourism’ which was announced during TAAI Convention held in London.
The award is one of the prestigious awards which can highlight our State in the present tourism scenario and will give a big boost to tourism promotion, says the release.
The award to Sikkim was presented by Orissa Governor Murildhar Chandrakant Bhandare at New Delhi yesterday.
The delegation from Sikkim was led by Tourism minister Bhim Dhungel accompanied by the secretary and other officers of the department.
Prior to the award ceremony a seminar was organized by Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) in the same venue on the subject ‘India – Power House for Tourism and Aviation Growth’. Sikkim was the Partner State during this seminar.
In his speech, Mr. Dhungel highlighted the various tourism attractions the State has to offer. He emphasized on the peaceful and hospitable nature of people of Sikkim and invited all to visit Sikkim and particularly extended invitation during the celebration of ‘Year of Tourism for Sikkim 2010’, the release adds.
The Tourism department said that tourism industry has taken a stronghold in the State. “One of the most peaceful States in the country with a mixture of unique traditions, culture, nature and hospitable people Sikkim has gained an immense popularity with the tourists arriving from all over the globe. It comes as no surprise that Sikkim has been receiving a series of award for the last several years”, said the department.

Sikkim Gets Best State Award In Adventure Tourism

Gangtok,August30: Sikkim Minister of State for Tourism, Forests,and Environment,Shri Bhim Dungel has received the Best State in Adventure Tourism Award by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) and SAFARI INDIA.

The award was given at a function held at the Ashoka Hotel Convention Hall, Delhi,by Murlidhar Chanderkant Bhandare, Governor of Orissa, in the presence of prominent persons from the field of tourism and travel.

The award was given in recognition of contribution of Sikkim to the promotion of various adventure tourist destinations particularly in Sikkim.

TAAS reaches out to help local tourism

Gangtok,August24: Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) yesterday conducted a familiarization trip of Aritar-Dalapchand region in East Sikkim with an objective to help the local tourism stakeholders in promoting tourism in the region. The team was led by TAAS President Paljor Lachungpa. The team conducted a survey of Lampohkeri Lake and other nearby tourist attractions of the region before meeting the two local tourism bodies - Aritar Dalapchand Lamphokeri Development Society (ADLDS) and Dalapchand Aritar Village Tourism Cooperative Society (DAVTCS).
The TAAS team addressed the representatives of the two local bodies and sensitized them on the need of capacity building in order to advance the tourism efforts of State government. TAAS president reminded the two bodies that they have earlier held a meeting some years back. He highlighted that the two bodies must identify products.
TAAS needs feedback mainly on the quality and quantity of home stays and other attractions so that tourists are encouraged to stay there for a couple of nights which will bring benefit and revenue to the local people, Mr. Lachungpa told the local stakeholders.
TAAS general Secretary Lukendra Rasaily informed that the team had found Aritar Dalapchand region very promising for ecotourism and village tourism.
“We have three wings - adventure, eco tourism and village tourism. We are trying to link up with the government for rural tourism. We are ready to extend all possible help to the local tourism societies”, Mr. Rasaily said.
At Aritar, tourism minister Mr. Bhim Dhungel had an informal chat with TAAS members. The minister requested the apex body of tour operators in Sikkim to promote “Year of Toutism-2010”.

Sikkim Tourism Joins hands with Gujrat Tourism

GANGTOK, August 22: The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat (TGCL) has agreed to sell STDC (Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation) package tour through their travel desk.
This agreement was made in principal recently after the STDC Chairman NK Subba and STDC General Manager Vijay Thapa discussed with the TGCL officials on joint exchange business on revenue sharing basis.
Mr. Subba and Mr. Thapa were in Ahmedabad to attend the Travel & Tourism fair from July 31 to August 2, 2009 and at Surat from August 7-9.
They also met with the renowned travel agents from Ahmedabad and Surat and informed them about the travel package of STDC and other travel and adventure opportunity available.
After their meeting with the Chairman of the Ahmedabad Kite Flyers Association, Ujal Shah, who is an accomplished kite flyer and specialist in making miniature kites, STDC Chairman invited the association members to Sikkim and requested them to demonstrate their skill in Kite flying, adds a press release. STDC, it is informed has plans to include kite flying event in the tourism festival to attract tourist.
In Delhi, the two-member Sikkim team met with the executive director of PATA and enquired about the PATA membership service. They also met local travel and tour operators in New Sikkim House in Delhi and apprised them about the STDC tour package. The Tour Operators, it is informed said that Sikkim has become an important destination and they are receiving lot of enquiry to visit Sikkim