Tourism in Sikkim would be developed at Rs 550 crores

Kolkata, July 4 (UNI) The Union Ministry of Tourism has chalked out a comprehensive plan to develop tourism in Sikkim with an assistance of Rs 550 crores.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Ambika Soni said several projects have been designed to promote tourism in Sikkim. The ministry of tourism would support three projects every year in this state, she added.

Moreover, the ministry would promote festival tourism in the state and has selected three festivals this year, she remarked.

Ms Soni said the government has also plans to take up similar tourism projects in other northeastern states.

The ministry has identified two categories--destination and development of circuits. She said Rs 5 crore would be allocated for development of new destination and Rs 3 crore for development of circuits.

''We have identified another new sector -- rural tourism. In this project villages which are culturally rich and famous for textiles, art and cottage industries would be promoted,'' the minister said.

''This project would be notified soon and the government would provide more than Rs 25 crore assistance for this project. This will be a large revenue generating sector,'' she pointed out.

Eco tourism is also a priority sector which the government is going to focus and for this Rs 50 crore would be spent for this project.

However, as the government cannot do it alone, public -private partnership is needed for the growth of this sector, Ms Soni said and added that FDI should be encouraged in this sector.

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