SINGAPORE DRAWS PLAN FOR A NEW SIKKIM

GANGTOK:6.aug 2009

The Singapore based Subarna International Consultancy Pte Ltd has projected tourism footfalls of at least 8 lakhs annually in Sikkim by 2015 making the Himalayan State as a major tourism attraction.

Out of these 8 lakhs tourists projected, the consultancy firm has put the numbers of international tourists to around thirty four thousands.

East Sikkim being the gateway to major tourism hotspots will be attracting more than 5 lakhs tourists annually by 2015, said the consultancy firm representatives while presenting the ‘developmental guide plans of Gangtok, Namchi, Geyzing and Mangan’, the district headquarters of the four districts of Sikkim.

The presentation for the stakeholders was made here today at Chintan Bhavan, Gangtok which was attended by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Speaker KT Gyalsten, cabinet minister, MLAs and a host of senior civil authorities.

The firm had been engaged by the State government to prepare a master plan for development of the urban centres of the State. The firm has also been engaged to separately prepare a master plan for developing Sikkim as a major tourism destination in the world.

Presenting the tourism component of the urban renewal plan, the representatives said that while the figures of tourists coming to Sikkim will reach around 8 lakhs annually by 2015, there is a requirement of an additional 8753 rooms to cater to the visiting tourists.

The tourism component has been prepared for Gangtok (East Sikkim), Namchi (South Sikkim), Mangan (North Sikkim) and Geyzing (West Sikkim).

The tourism traffic in East Sikkim will remain high and as per the urban master plan for Gangtok, there is an urgent need to have larger and better managed hotels and to curb unlicensed hotels. There is also a lack of quality eateries in Gangtok, the study noted.

The consultancy firm has also called for developing religious, eco-tourism and natural attractions, reviving the handicrafts and handlooms products and decentralization of permit system to decongest Gangtok.
The firm has proposed setting up a cultural and nature zone in southern and northern areas of Gangtok. The cultural zone in southern Gangtok should be ready by 2015 with a museum, performing arts centre, exhibition and convention centre, the firm suggested.

It has also recommended demarcating the northern zone of Gangtok as a nature zone by upgrading the Himalayan Zoological Park and setting up spas.

The company also forecasted two more casinos in Gangtok. All these aspects will be highlighted in the Tourism Master Plan report for Sikkim later this year, the consultancy firm said.

Regarding Namchi, the firm said that the South district is strong on religious and cultural activities. The limitations of tourism facilities in South should be upgraded, the firm suggested.

The firm also highlighted the need for more tourism facilities and infrastructures in North and West districts.