Walking extra mile for quality tourism service

Gangtok, May 18 (UNI) Call it honouring the code of tourism or walking that extra mile to satisfy the latent wants of tourists, Blue Sky Tours and Travels brought the magic of Tibet alive for a group of foreign tourists last night at Gangtok, who had cut short their Tibet itinerary.

A group of tourists from Germany and Switzerland had descended to the Himalayan state from Nepal after Tibet was closed for tourists in the wake of recent developments.

Once in Gangtok, their host Paljor Lachungpa, Blue Sky Tours and Travels steamed up a memorable itinerary of fusion of Tibetan and Sikkimese culture grandeur for the tourists which started with an enchanting presentation by Gangjong Doeghar, a Tibetan Performing Arts from Kalimpong yesterday night at Hotel Himalayan Heights.

With worldwide performances under its belt, Gangjong Doeghar dished out a regal presentation of Tibetan culture of songs, dances and music including an Opera that fetched loud applauses from the foreign tourists.

''They (tourist group) had booked a trip to Tibet but could not go as Tibet is presently banned for foreigners. So they came here as Sikkim has become an alternative destination for scenic beauty and unique culture,'' said Lachungpa.

''I would have loved to go to Tibet but I am very happy to see Tibetan culture here in Sikkim,'' said a German tourist.

While the tourists would have been contended just being in Sikkim, Lachungpa made his own arrangements to present the Tibetan cultural evening so that tourists should not have any room for complaints.

Apart from the Tibetan culture presentation, Lachungpa had planned to showcase the Sikkimese culture to the group. One group would be going to North Sikkim and other to West Sikkim and I had made preparations for having Sikkim culture presentations, he said.

''Quality tourism is there provided that we provide quality service.'' This was not the first group that had detoured to Sikkim after the clampdown in Tibet. This was the sixth group, said Lachungpa.

Lachungpa said the present tourism season had been good and it was a good opportunity for the local stakeholders to spread the tourists to every nook and cranny of the state so that the benefits percolate down to the masses.

''The season has been good and on top of that arrival of such groups is a good opportunity to divert them to all parts of the state,'' he said.

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