Sikkim Snow & Culture Fest to revive Sikkim Tourism

NOW AMIT PAUL TO HIT SIKKIM WAVES
GANGTOK, 07 Feb: Amit Paul, Indian Idol season-3 runner-up, is all set to perform in the state capital in a musical event ‘An Evening With Amit Paul. The programme is being organized by Gangtok based Namdul Tours and Travels at Tashi Namgyal Academy playground on 22 February evening and is part of the Sikkim Snow and Culture Fest, which is scheduled to be held from 14 February to 29 February in the state. Amit Paul will be another in the string of celebrities to hit the town recently, entertain tourists and locals alike and attempt to revive the fledgling tourism industry in the state.
The event will witness other local artists and also dancers from Kolkata. Part of the collection raised through tickets will also go to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support the earthquake victims.
Addressing a press conference today, Namdul Tours and Travels managing director, Tularam Chettri informed that the primary focus of the event is to revive Sikkim Tourism which has taken slump lately; this is largely because of the 18 September earthquake. He further stated that the event will also help to send the message to the whole world that Sikkim is safe and fine and all set to welcome tourists in the state.
“Amit Paul was the runner-up in the Indian Idol and presently is a playback singer in Bollywood, so he is quite popular among the people of India; through this event we have also targeted domestic tourists coming to Sikkim to give them another extra event in the state,” Mr Chettri said.
For the same, the organizers have already informed hoteliers to convey the message of the event to their guests; they also plan to visit the hotels in days to come apart from also promoting the event through online marketing.
The organizers have fixed the price of tickets at Rs 500 and Rs 300 each which is available at a counter set up before Tourism Office in MG Marg. Mr Chettri informed that they have been approaching private companies to sponsor the event and should any company come forward to support the show then the price of tickets would go down.
The organizers expect a crowd of around 3000 people for the show.
Sima Thapa informed that Amit Paul has already confirmed his participation for the event and will be coming from Mumbai. She stated that this event will help to promote Sikkim as Amit Paul will convey the message of Sikkim to wherever he would perform around the world that Sikkim is alright and safe. She informed that he will perform with his own band and has also promised to present around 6 Nepali songs in the show. Ms Thapa added that dancers from Kolkata will perform in the show.
Travel Agents Association of Sikkim [TAAS] is also assisting the organizers in publicity and other arrangements and has also allotted a slot in the Sikkim Snow and Culture Fest for the next 3 years.