Sikkim Tourism veteran unveils new guide map
GANGTOK,: At times, one needs to revert to the original way of doing things instead of following the crowd or conforming to trends.
Lukendra
Rasaily, a tourism veteran, has done exactly that – switching from online to
offline promotional means.
The former
Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) president has come up with an
eye-catching tourist guide map of Gangtok, harking to a traditional yet
effective way of promoting a tourist town.
In this QR
code-driven era where every corner has a Google Map pin, the chart paper-size
guide map developed by Lukendra gives a feel of authenticity and natural charm
that Gangtok offers to its visitors. Something that the seasoned tour operator
feels has been overlooked amidst the mad rush to pack tourists to Tsomgo Lake
and Nathu La.
“There are
several beautiful locations in and around Gangtok that tourists can visit. One
can also indulge in recreational engagements like birding and hiking here. Many
people are interested in doing such activities. Birding, hiking and eco-tourism
are niche markets that Gangtok can offer but it has not been highlighted so
far. Through this guide map, we have listed all such spots and tourism products
that can attract tourists. Gangtok has plenty to offer and should not be
restricted to mere seven-point or five-point tourism spots as done so far,”
said Lukendra.
The map, which
features illustrations by local artist Peter S. Lepcha, highlights scenic
routes and key recreational areas around Gangtok. One of the prominent routes
outlined is the Bhusuk-10th Mile-Nandok-Assam Lingzay-Naitam corridor, which
serves as an ideal destination for birding and mountain biking enthusiasts.
Detailed text on the map provides information about the specific species of
birds and butterflies that can be spotted in and around Gangtok area, further
enriching the visitor experience.
Besides the
images, adequate text information is there in the map to highlight where one
can do bird watching and butterfly watching in and around Gangtok. Details of
the birds and butterflies that can be spotted at the regions around Gangtok are
also provided.
Lukendra
asserts that tourists visiting Sikkim can be tempted to spend two more days in
Gangtok itself. What we have been doing so far is to hurry the tourists around
five-six tourist spots in Gangtok in a single sightseeing trip and next day
send them to North Sikkim or Tsomgo-Nathu La tour…but if we do the required
promotion, the tourists would be interested in spend two days touring Gangtok
and nearby areas, he said.
Accordingly,
the seasoned travel operator has recommended two days of local sightseeing
trips in the guide map which includes visits to the 13-14 monasteries, temples,
waterfalls and Himalayan Zoological Park. Details of these destinations can be
found in the map.
“There are
around 13-14 monasteries of all the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism in and
around Gangtok but the tourists are not aware about all of them. They know only
about a few prominent monasteries or those that are told to them by the drivers
and travel agencies. Through this map, we want to give a clear picture to those
tourists interested in exploring the monasteries in Gangtok. The major aim of
developing this guide map is to encourage our tourists to prolong their stay in
Gangtok,” said Lukendra.
There are about
1200 hotels, ranging from budget stays to five-star accommodations, in Gangtok.
Lukendra is
confident that by promoting Gangtok’s rich cultural and eco-tourism offerings,
visitors will be tempted to stay longer, boosting both local tourism and the
economy.
About 4,000
copies of this guide map have been published. The maps are being provided to
the Tourism department who will then issue it to Tourist Information Centres
for the interested visitors.
We are also
requesting the hoteliers and travel agencies to provide this tourist guide map
to their clients, shared Lukendra.
In a world of
fast-paced digital distractions, Lukendra Rasaily’s guide map brings a
refreshing focus back to the natural beauty and cultural richness of
Gangtok—reminding us that sometimes, the old ways can be just as effective, if
not more so.
