Sikkim to launch monsoon tourism

Gangtok, Jun 28: Sikkim, the tiny Himalayan state, which has emerged as one of the hot eco-tourist destination of the world over the last few years, decided to launch monsoon tourism this year.

The tourist flow to the state showed an increasing trend during the summer and winter tourist season. The state received more than 2.10 lakh tourists in 2003-04 and around 2.5 lakh the next year. A total of 4,569 foreigners and around one lakh domestic tourists visited the state during April and May this year, the peak tourist season of the state. But tourists generally avoid the rainy season.

State Tourism Secretary Alok Shrivastav said monsoon tourism was being launched with a view to continuing flow of tourists and keep up the momentum gathered during the peak tourist season.

Sikkim, which receives an annual rainfall of 2000 to 4000 mm, looks more beautiful during the monsoon as the greenery is at its best. Several waterfalls flow down the mountains creating a myriad of colours and variety of wild flowers bloom during this period.

The Secretary said ''we want the tourists to come to the state and enjoy the nature when it is at its best'' ''We are going to launch a massive advertisement campaign both in print and eletronic media in a couple of days to woo tourists during the lean period.'' He said states like Goa, Jharkhand and Meghalaya have started promoting monsoon tourism to attract travellers. Since Sikkim has a lot of potential and exotic tourist destinations we decided to launch it this year.

The tourism industry in Sikkim started only a decade back when a group of tour operators projected the natural beauty of the state as a tourist destination. Later it gained momentum with the support of the government. In the beginning tourists started coming to the state only after visiting Darjeeling. But frequent political disturbance in Darjeeling soon made it a hot spot for the tourists.

In monsoon, the Secretary said, the tourists could visit places like Nathu La, on Indo-China border, located at 14,420 feet above the sea level, the sacred Tsomgo lake, Baba Mandir (all in east district) Hee village and Peeling (West Sikkim) Ravangala and Samdrupste in South Sikkim.

The tourists can also indulge in adventurous sports like trekking and boating and enjoy the pleasure of driving along the Himalayas.

Mr Shrivastav said the government had informed the government and private hoteliers about the new initiative and directed them to provide 30 per cent discount to the tourists visiting the state during monsoon.

A special discount would also be given to honeymooners to attract more tourists to the state.

The Secretary seemed to be very optmistic about the success of the new project.

He said the flow of tourists to the state ''is increasing every year and we hope to have six lakh tourists by 2010. We are reviewing the matter to ensure that it is within the carrying capacity of the state. We do not want the tourism industry to grow at the cost of our culture and environment,'' he remarked.

UNI