'Safe Sikkim, visit Sikkim': Eastern Himalaya-based tour operators start campaigning to attract tourists

SNS, SILIGURI, 26 OCTO8ER 2023 : Eastern Himalaya based Tour Operators have started campaigning 'Safe Sikkim, Visit Sikkim' in order to build confidence among tourists, who have cancelled their tour programmes after flash flood hit North Sikkim.

After Glacial Lake outburst in North Sikkim due to cloud burst, several tourists, suffering from fear psychosis, have cancelled hooking.

As a reusult, tourists' flow was less during festive season compared to previous years in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sikkim region.

Eastern Himalaya based Tour Operators have planned to build confidence among tourists to increase the occupancy rate from 25 per cent to at least 75 per cent ahead of Diwali.

The General Secretary, Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN), Samrat Sanyal said: "We are working on promotional campaign to reinstate confidence and say Safe Sikkim-Visit Sikkim. The idea is a campaign of all sorts through social media and other mediums in sending a message across the Indian Travel Market and Global Travel Market to visit Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills sector. Building the sense of safety and depicting the positive image of the circuit is our prime focus."

"Administration has opened National Highway 10 a few days ago, but no body knows the information," Mr SanyaI added.

Though tourists' flow was better in Darjeeling during Puja, tourists, wanted to visit both Darjeeling and Sikkim, have cancelled all bookings.

Investors in West Bengal, who runs hotels and other properties in the Hills on lease basis, suffered huge financial loss, sources said.

The General Secretary, Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators' Association (EHTTOA), Sandipan Ghosh said: "If tourists' flow is increased before Diwali at least up to 70 to 75 percent, we can expect more tourists in Christmas."

The Sikkim government is trying hard to restore connectivity in North Sikkim by mid November this year, Mr Ghosh added.

It may be noted that Border Road Organisation (BRO) and Indian Army have been jointly working day and night for the construction of Bailey Bridges over the river Teesta connecting isolated areas, popular tourists' destinations.

The Leu Dun Bum-Ther Monlam Chenmo Committee of Pemayangtse organised a dedicated full day of 'Sur' (burnt offerings), 'Monlam (dedication and aspiration) prayers and 'Riwo Sa ngcho' ritual also called 'mountain of smoke offerings at Eco Paradise Mining in Rangpo yesterday.

Buddhist monks offered heartfelt prayers in memory of those who tragically lost their lives during the flash flood on 4 October with sincere hopes for the recovery of those affected by the disaster in various locations.

Offerings and prayers were offered in the memory of the deceased as part of the Sur (burnt offerings) rite, which endeavours towards assisting their spirits, an official of Sikkim government said.