TAAS seeks MoT support to develop skiing tourism in Sikkim

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK, December 8: Eyeing to add another dimension to the multifaceted tourism of Sikkim, the apex body of tour operators here Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) has urged upon the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) for support to develop skiing infrastructure in the higher altitudes of East and North districts.

In a representation submitted to Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja during her three day trip to Sikkim which concluded yesterday, TAAS informed that the body has successfully introduced skiing sports in North Sikkim to promote winter tourism since the last two years.

A four member delegation of TAAS led by president Pajlor Lachungpa along with general secretary Lukendra Rasaily, vice president Sailesh Pradhan and joint secretary Arun Bhagat had called on the visiting Union Minister on December 5 evening here at Gangtok.

Informing the Union Minister of the successful introduction of skiing sports in North Sikkim, the TAAS pointed out that it has some constraints in acquiring the good quality equipments and also development of slopes, ski-lifts, huts and other amenities.

As such infrastructure are essential to promote and conduct high quality winter sports, we would be grateful if the Ministry could grant the State with funds to create necessary infrastructure especially in Yumthang area in North Sikkim and Kupup in East Sikkim, TAAS said. It also expressed its readiness to submit a detailed project report on the subject.

Similarly, TAAS also took up the issue for declaration of Bagdogra airport as a SAARC airport. The Druk Air of Royal Bhutan Airlines has been presently allowed to fly international flights between Paro in Bhutan, Bagdogra in Siliguri and Bangkok in Thailand.

The TAAS reiterated that the Bagdogra airport to be declared as an international airport or at least as SAARC airport as the airport can cater to the international clients.

“While doing the verbal inquires as far as demands and supply trends are concerned, our counterparts and people in general have found there a tremendous customer support base”, said TAAS. It further pointed out that the Union government has placed floriculture as export oriented business for the region and such initiative to upgrade Bagdogra airport as SAARC airpot will definitely invite prompt deliveries of the products globally.

The TAAS also requested the Union Minister for extension of Restricted and Protected Area Permit in North Sikkim for 5 days to 20 days. As of now, foreign tourists are allowed to be in North Sikkim beyond Toong checkpost for 5 days only, which is not enough for them to enjoy all the tourist spots that the Union government has opened in recent past, TAAS said. It requested the Union Minister to take up this matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs to have the permitted number of days from 5 to 20 days.

The apex body of tour operators in Sikkim also highlighted the untapped tourism potential of the Tsogmo Lake-Kupup-Rongli-Aritar-Rhenock circuit in East Sikkim and sought the Ministry’s support to allow even the foreign tourists to travel through this fascinating route.

“As it is a highly potential destination, this area would definitely attract international quality tourism. This will help in growth of socio-economic development in the area”, TAAS said. It also requested to have the Reshi outpost in East Sikkim as entry or exit point for foreign nationals.

The body also requested to open Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim for foreign tourists. “As this destination, Gurudongmar Lake is highly potential with its natural beauty; there is a high demand even from foreign tourists visiting Sikkim and they too intend to visit this pristine lake but unfortunately they have to go back with disappointment for not having been able to visit there”, it said.

The TAAS requested for allowing foreign tourists to visit Gurudongmar Lake through the guided tour organized by the travel agents or tour operators who are registered with the State Tourism department for the safety and security of clients as well as of the nation.

Another key area where the MoT could intervene was in the simplification of Green Lake permit system as the Green Lake trek in North Sikkim is a major destination for adventure seekers in Sikkim. Permits for this trek are given by Ministry of Home Affairs which is time consuming generally taking two months, pointed out TAAS requesting the MoT to simply process by empowering the State Home department along with the Army head office based in Gangtok to issue the permit and help in promoting the budding destination even better.

The TAAS also sought for more financial aid for development of quality infrastructure in the State which will not only promote quality tourism in the State but also solve to certain extent the unemployment problems by providing various job opportunities.

Another key point raised by the tourism stakeholder was setting up a proper rescue operation system in Sikkim with support from the MoT. The TAAS requested the Union Minister to provide proper rescue operation training in Sikkim along with the necessary rescue gears and equipments to enable the tour operators in helping the resuce and evacuation during such tourist mishaps in low and high altitude areas in Sikkim.