Sikkim to double tourism activity by 2010

Kolkata, Jul 29 (UNI) Aiming to double the tourist inflow from three to six lakh by 2010, the Sikkim goverment has unleashed a number of initiatives to attract the "globe-trotters".

Addressing newsmen, tour operators and hoteliers on the sidelines of the ongoing travel and tourism fair at Netaji Indoor Stadium here, Sikkim Tourism Minister R B Subba today said the state government had approached the Centre for setting up a 100-bed five star hotel at 13,500 feet above sea level in Sarathang, 6.5 km away from Nathu la.

Besides, an aclamatisation centre is supposed to come up at Kyongasla, six km from Changu, added Mr Subba.

Mr Subba said efforts were on to meet the insatiated demands of the tourists to explore the state's new exotic destinations.

In this regard, Sikkim Tourism had started developing scenic places like Aritar in East Sikkim and Hee Gaon in West Sikkim.

Mr A K Srivastava, Commissioner-cum-Secretary for Tourism in Sikkim said the tourist villages were being developed in Hee Gaon and Soreng in West Sikkim.

He also informed that the tourism department was making efforts to highlight Sikkim as a film shooting destination.

Another high level delegation consisting of Ministers and senior officers of the state visited ITB Berlin, Switzerland, Italy, France, Netherland and UK to target foreign tourist.

UNI SP PP SJC DB1704