Regional tourism finds platform in SERT Awards 2015

Prashant Acharya, EOI, Siliguri 5 Oct 2015: Darjeeling is renowned the world over for its natural beauty, but tourism as a vital industry of the region had never been officially recognised in its local and grassroots levels. But this has changed with the introduction of the Sikkim Express Regional Tourism Awards. 

Given away in 19 categories for seminal contributions to the local tourism industry, the Sikkim Express Regional Tourism Awards 2015 were announced on Sunday, October 4 at the Siliguri-based mall, City Centre, during this year’s two-day World Tourism Day Festival organised jointly by the Association for Conservation of Tourism (ACT) and City Centre. 

Amit Patro, editor-in-chief of the Gangtok-based daily Sikkim Express, and KC Dengzongpa, vice-president of Sikkim Association for Adventure Tour Operators (SAATO), gave away the awards. 

Act convener Raj Basu said, "This is history in the making in terms of regional tourism." Biswajit Saha, owner of Jaldapara Jungle Camp in Alipurduwar, who is also the secretary of the Central Duars Eco-Fest, expressed happiness with the initiative taken by the organisers in encouraging local tourism stakeholders and associates. 

The award categories included a Lifetime Achievement Award and one for Contribution towards Rural & Community Tourism Development, among others. The award for the Best MICE Destination went to Sumit Mitruka of Summit Group of Hotels, for managing the best hotel in Namchi, South Sikkim. 

The recipients included NBDD minister Gautam Deb and NK Subba, Urban Development minister, Government of Sikkim.(Photo Courtesy : Arun Kumar)