Saturday, November 2, 2013

With recognition, comes responsibility KC PRADHAN

With Lonely Planet recognizing Sikkim as the world’s best destination as far as regional tourism is concerned for the year 2014and laying special emphasis on natural beauty and cultural riches with the theme: Sikkim- Green is the Colour, the Government has got full marks in this sector and if the tempo continues with further refinement, this engine of economic growth is bound to put Sikkim on a higher plane. The people of Sikkim should applaud the Government and all the stakeholders in the travel trade for this excellent, and rather unexpected, recognition which has made Sikkim and the country as a whole proud.
However, this recognition has thrown a lot of responsibility on the Government and stakeholders. As the saying goes, ‘heavy lies the head that wears the Crown”. Lonely Planet is the Bible for the average foreign traveler and once the name of places of interest and accommodation which they think is value for money are indicated, the visitors seek out the destination with high expectations. Visitors start planning their vacations a good six months to one year ahead. Hence, the visitors that plan to visit Sikkim in the year 2014 might be overwhelming. This requires pulling up our socks and getting prepared to receive the visitors who will come with very high expectations. This entails up gradation of our tourism infrastructures on a war footing. It is time for the concerned department to chalk out a calendar of events and publicize it in a manner befitting the recognition with due assistance of the Ministry of Tourism and the External Affairs at the Centre.
All our Embassies should be provided with appropriate literature with request for wide publicity. Also, an imaginative website with correct information should be launched with translations in all major languages. All the websites on Sikkim Tourism are filled with high superlatives and visitors usually get something else when they actually land here. Approach should be to impart correct information. Rating like good, moderate, not recommended should be adopted.  
Our road connectivity has to be improved in earnest. Telecommunication in far flung tourist destinations like Lachen and Lachung besides Dzongri must be ensured and maintained for which the Dept of IT should be put on the job. The traffic congestion in Gangtok has to be tackled, perhaps on the lines suggested to the Government by the Traffic De-congestion Sub-Committee constituted by the Sikkim Senior Citizens’ Society as immediate remedial measures. The possibility of bringing the dateline of commissioning of Pakyong Airport closer could be given a thought. Some additional helicopters with higher passenger load could be worked out even if it has to be chartered from private organizations in case of increased demands. Trial landing of helicopters at Dzongri with a helipad well positioned would go a long way in building a sense of security among the visitors.
Every hotel and home-stay should be inspected by competent teams with a view to upgrade the facilities and kept under close watch as regards the hygiene, cleanliness and various food ingredients they use considering that at most tourist destinations in the country, the stakeholders are out to make a fast buck at the expense of the health of the visitors. Beautification of roads, highways, homes, etc. should be launched in the right earnest. All the tourist vehicles should be in proper condition and the drivers given crash courses on proper etiquettes. The owner driven vehicles should be given due prominence and encouraged. Tourism police as conceived as early as in 1989, preferably with ladies, should be put in place in all tourist destinations with all round patrolling for visitors’ safety and assistance. Government must work in tandem with the TAAS, SAATO, Sikkim Hotels & Restaurant Association, various cultural groups etc. and all assistance extended with funds sourced from DoNER or NEC or Ministry of Tourism as a special case. The recognition is not only for the state but the country as a whole and Sikkim could well lead the way for the other states to follow.
The oft repeated complaint of entrepreneurs who are in travel trade is that they are hobbled with bureaucratic hassles and the huge amount of paper work required  for various taxes and levies. This sort of thing does not suit the temperament of the Sikkim people. All these rules should be monitored by one single agency and the best way is to calculate a combined annual fee or tax and let them get relieved of all the hassles. Getting good hands to work in the hotel business is another complaint. Sikkimese people don’t like to take up such jobs within the state considering it beyond their dignity whereas outside the state they merrily plunge into it. This dilemma is strange but true and has to be solved.
There are a number of organizations initiated by our local young energetic groups like Sikkim Ornithological Society, Sikkim Anglers’ Society, Cultural groups etc, who can contribute substantially in enhancing tourism in the state. They are languishing for lack of financial assistance and patronage by the Government. Some grant-in-aid on an annual basis could go a long way. Bird watchers are high spenders, only next to Golfer, and SOS deserves all encouragement including relaxation in entry to protected areas. To open the park only at 8 am when the birds wake up at 5 in the morning are some of the issues that need to be addressed. Personnel who man the institutions must understand the point of view of enthusiasts instead of sticking to a set of rules made somewhere by unimaginative and disinterested people. Some brainstorming sessions to overcome all these hassles are the need of the hour. Perhaps, in the given scenario, the Chief Minister known for his decisiveness is truly the only answer.
Even though 2014 is an election year, the people of Sikkim should give equal importance to this unique opportunity to take a quantum leap in the field with determination and confidence. Once you reach the top you should be able to hold on and step further to still higher plane as sliding down though easy will be painful. Just a thought at this moment of glory of the institution where many hands have joined together in the years gone by ever since Tourism was conceived and launched with meager resources and the foundation laid is still there for all to see.

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