TOURISM DEPTT GETS ITS OWN PARYATAN BHAWAN

In 3 years, every marketplace will have MG Marg’s dazzle: CM

Gangtok, 26 Dec [IPR]: “The Government has a vision to make 100 new tourist points in the State. We are working towards making the entire State a tourism destination. I will need three more years to make all the towns and marketplaces of Sikkim as beautiful as Gangtok. The government is making headway as a City Tourism Destination,” Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said in his address at the inauguration of Paryatan Bhawan, the new office of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department here at Tadong this evening.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister shared the Government’s concept of an “eco city state”, where the remotest corners of Sikkim will avail amenities as enjoyed by any city or town of Sikkim.
The Chief Minister stated that the tourism sector has not developed in isolation, but is a result of the positive environment and opportunities created by the government. He elaborated that the tourism sector has been complemented by peace, security, law and order, hygiene and eco-friendly policies.
He further underlined the tourism sector as a sensitive profession which requires dealing with knowledgeable, experienced and wide range of people on a daily basis. He thus called on all stakeholders to practice responsible tourism in the state for sustainable development of the sector. He urged all to work responsibly for image building of the state.
“Taxi drivers and hoteliers are the first to directly encounter the tourists and visitors, thus they have a major role in building their perception towards Sikkim,” said Mr. Chamling.
He highlighted the need to inculcate good qualities like politeness and humility while dealing with tourists. “Politeness should be looked upon as our identity, not our weakness,” he stated. He called on the hoteliers and taxi drivers to maintain uniformity and discipline in their tariff.
The Chief Minister lamented on the inability of educated youths of Sikkim to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the government in tourism and service industry. This, he said was the biggest challenge the state faces. He took the opportunity to call on the stakeholders to prioritize employment of local human resource in their establishments.
Urging all to come out of the “Third World Mindset”, he maintained that the government will continue to build the capacity of the prospective youths to make them employable.
The Chief Minister also shed light on the innovative steps taken by the government to catapult the image of the state as a model for others to follow. Initiatives like the Ban Jhakri Falls, Char Dham and the three Buddhism related statue projects are unique examples of how the government has used folk tales and religious practices as instruments of modern development, said Mr. Chamling.
He also made a mention of the upcoming Bhaley Dhunga Sky Walk Project.
The CM also highlighted initiatives like ban on grazing which he said was an example of man and nature could co-exist for balanced development.
During the programme, the Chief Minister was felicitated by the tourism stakeholders of the state.
Earlier, Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel delivered the welcome address. The technical report was presented by Secretary Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, C. Zangpo.