Tourism & Hospitality Committee of PHDCCI organized its 18th webinar under Border Tourism Webinar Series on 25 February 2022 focusing on West Sikkim District for the promotion of Border Tourism in Sikkim. The programme was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
Mr. Rohan Agawane (IAS), Additional District Magistrate– West Sikkim, Government of Sikkim, spoke on the various products like Agro Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Religious Tourism which has immense potential to increase the tourist traffic to the state. He also highlighted the challenges in terms of infrastructure like poor road connectivity, landslides which causes traffic jams for long hours making it difficult for the tourists to commute.
Mr. S. S. Dev Barman, Regional Director, Indiatourism North East, highlighted that being the gateway to the Himalayas; Sikkim is known for its beautiful scenery, green meadow, crystalline lakes and towering mountain ranges. Sikkim is bordered by Nepal, Bhutan and China and hence there is no dearth of tourist places in the state.
Mr. Saurabh Rishi, Joint Adviser– Aspirational Districts Programme, NITI Aayog, informed that West Sikkim district has improved on various indicators relating to socio-economic development such as health and nutrition, education and basic infrastructure. Many of these indicators are directly linked to tourism development like hygiene, sanitation and drinking water facilities.
Other panellists who graced the webinar were Mr. Sonam Norgay Lachungpa, President, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim; and Mr. Karma Thutop Chechutharpa, Executive Member, Homestay Association of Sikkim.
In his Presidential Address, Mr. Pradeep Multani, President, PHDCCI, said that there are several virgin mountain peaks, unprotected monuments, rivers, rich local cultures and other unspoiled tourism resources which should be further explored by tourists. Through all these programmes organized under the Border Tourism Webinar Series, it is evident that there is huge scope for development of Border Tourism in the country.
Mr. Pawan S. Jain, Chair– Tourism & Hospitality Committee, PHDCCI, said that India is full of beautiful places within its massive landmass with innumerable places to explore. Border Tourism lets us explore the places where one can almost see the boundary disappear into another country.
Mr. Rajan Sehgal, Co-Chair– Tourism & Hospitality Committee, PHDCCI, proposed the formal vote of thanks and the webinar was moderated by Dr. Yogesh Srivastav, Assistant Secretary General, PHDCCI.
The webinar received participation of senior government officials, travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, tour guides, airline professionals, travel associations and students from the travel and hospitality institutes.