Tourism stakeholders should do self-regulation: Dhungel

GANGTOK, June 26: State Tourism minister Bhim Dhungel today observed that it was better on the part of tourism stakeholders to do self-regulation instead of government putting a check on their activities found detrimental to the interests of Sikkim Tourism.

“Instead of the State government checking their activities, it will be better if the tourism stakeholders practise self-regulation to protect the interests of tourists visiting Sikkim”, said the minister while inaugurating the office of a revived Sikkim Hotel and Restaurant Association (SHRA) here at MG Marg.

Responding to a question over the instances of tourists being exploited by unscrupulous hoteliers and taxi drivers, the minister said the SHRA should ensure that the hotels and restaurants have deserving tariffs. The SHRA should practice self-regulation to prevent such instances, he said.

Dhungel further observed that SHRA will play a vital role in ensuring that the hotels and restaurants pay their dues properly to the State government increasing the State’s revenue which will have a multiplier effect on developmental activities.
“We (State government) have a close understanding with SHRA and we will work together along with other stakeholders for a clean, green and tourist friendly State of Sikkim”, said Dhungel congratulating the SHRA for their new office and starting on a fresh note.

The minister underlined the need on giving good hospitality to the tourists coming to Sikkim. The tourists who return their homes happy will further send more tourists back to Sikkim, he said.

State tourism secretary SBS Bhaduria said the department will be including the names and tariffs of registered hotels in Sikkim in the publicity materials.
SHRA president Bhanu Rasaily said that the organization is now geared up to fulfil its responsibilities for the development of Sikkim Tourism. We have now come up and there is no looking back and we will work hard to reach Sikkim Tourism to new heights, he said. He thanked all for the support and extended his special gratitude to senior tour operator Paljor Lachungpa.

SHRA general secretary Vivek Pradhan said that SHRA is starting from scratch. We want to work for the future of Sikkim tourism along with other tourism stakeholders, he said.
Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) Lukendra Rasaily was also present on the occasion.
The SHRA has 270 members and twenty more hotels and restaurants joined the association today.

source;sikkim express