Greenfield airport excites investment in Sikkim’s tourism sector

5-STAR PROJECT TO BEGIN JAN 2012, OTHER BIG HOTELIERS EXPRESS KEEN INTEREST TO INVEST IN SIKKIM AS WELL
GANGTOK, 30 Nov: Investors are showing keen interest in the tourism sector in the State, and with the Pakyong Green Field Airport construction coming up, a number of private companies have already begun the process, informs a press release issued by the Secretary, Tourism & Civil Aviation Deptt, N Yethenpa.

In view of the target of attracting 50 lakh tourists to the State set in the 12th Five Year Plan, the Tourism Department has taken initiatives to plan ahead and meet the target, the Secretary states.
According to the release, the Department has already finalized the paperwork for investment by Classical Paradise Hotels & Resorts Ltd. (Ambuja Reality) at Pangthang above Gangtok, for which the company has already acquired 15 acres of land from a private party on lease for a period of 33 years.
Classical Paradise Hotels & Resorts has also taken 19.32 acres on lease for a period of 99 years at Kewzing under Barfung Block of South Sikkim. In addition, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. is also coming up with a 5-Star Resort at Pangthang on a 25 acre plot.
The final approval of the Government for starting the projects of Classical Paradise Hotels & Resorts has been processed to the Government and they will be launching the project from January 2012, the release informs.
Meanwhile, Royal Orchid Hotels will be starting their project as soon as final approval of the Government is received.
In addition, the Leela Group of Hotels along with Mortex Group from Kolkata have shown keen interest to invest near the Green Field Airport at Pakyong.
Additional acquisition of land for these two companies is under process and they will also be investing in 5-Star Hotels here by the beginning of 2012, the release further mentions.
However, the release adds, one of the greatest bottlenecks faced by the growing Tourism industry in Sikkim is the lack of quality road connectivity which is a must to increase the tourist inflow in the State.