Sikkim will have the highest ratio of tourists by 2012: Dhungel

GANGTOK, June 14: With more than 100 tourism related projects scheduled to be completed by the next two years, State tourism minister Bhim Dhungel today said that Sikkim will be boasting by 2012 the nation’s highest ratio of tourism footfalls in comparison with the existing population of the State.

“More than 100 tourism related projects, small and big including the Solophok Chaar Dham project and Lord Buddha statue project in South Sikkim will be completed by 2012 while the Pakyong airport is scheduled to be completed by 2011. Around 60 wayside tourism amenities will also be completed by this time. All these projects will see an increase in the tourism inflow in Sikkim”, said Dhungel in a felicitation function organized by Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) here at Gangtok.
When such tourism related projects and infrastructure are completed by 2012, Sikkim will have the highest ratio in the nation of tourists arrivals compared with the existing population of the State, said the tourism minister. He also called up the tourism stakeholders to prepare for the tourism boom by 2012.

The tour operators should try to build capacity of their staff for the expansion in tourism by 2012, said Dhungel. He attributed to the tourism growth in Sikkim to the ‘peace and tranquility’ that the State offers to the tourists.

“The greatest asset of Sikkim is peace and tranquility. Tourists visiting Sikkim enjoys peace and security as compared to other tourism destinations of the country. We all have to strive to maintain peaceful environment of our State”, said Dhungel to all the tourism stakeholders.

The minister urged upon lay focus on giving quality services to the tourists especially in the transport sector. He called up all the stakeholders to sensitize the drivers on tourism ethics.

State tourism secretary SBS Bhaduria said that the tourism growth in Sikkim for this year was 20 percent. He also complimented the TAAS for the effective promotion of Sikkim tourism and assured full support to the organization from the department side.
DIG (Range) Shreedar Rao said that the Sikkim Police is always a partner the tourism stakeholders for promoting the tourism of Sikkim. We have always taken TAAS as our partner in our efforts for tourism activities and our support will continue, he said.
Rao also took the occasion to highlight a pertinent tourism related issue. There is a scope for improving tourism services and there is a need to bring a change in the system to protect tourists from getting overcharge for transport services, he said.
We are looking into measures to streamline a new system so that the tourists do not feel cheated, he said.

Outgoing TAAS president Paljor Lachungpa said peace and tranquility remains the biggest asset of Sikkim for promotion of tourism. “Peace is our unique selling point for promoting Sikkim as the premier tourism destination”, he said. He also highlighted the steps taken by the organization in promoting various destinations in Sikkim.

The TAAS felicitated the State tourism department, forest department, Sikkim Police, STNM hospital, BRO, Army and Press Club of Sikkim (PCS) in recognition for their services in promotion of tourism.

State tourism secretary SBS Bhaduria, forest secretary ST Lachungpa, DIG (Range) Shreedar Rao and PCS president Parasmani Dangal received the mementos and certificates on behalf of their respective departments and organization.

source;sikkim express