GEYZING,: The week-long Kanchenjunga Winter
Tourism Festival which concluded on Tuesday, drawing tourists from across the
country and the world.
Organized by Pelling Tourism Development
Association (PTDA), the festival aims to promote and enhance the tourism
potential of West Sikkim through diverse tourism-focused activities. Since its
inception in 2000, the Kanchenjunga Winter Tourism Festival has been a flagship
event of the PTDA.
This year’s festival featured
traditional food stalls, showcases of cultural attire, sporting and cultural
activities and adventure attractions like paragliding.
PTDA president Keshav Pradhan emphasized
the crucial role the festival has played in promoting and developing tourism in
the region over the past two decades. Despite initial challenges, the festival
has grown into a powerful platform to fulfil the tourism aspirations of the
region, said Pradhan.
Pradhan shared that there has been surge
in domestic tourist attendance this year and expressed gratitude for the
overwhelming response from visitors. He also highlighted the region’s recovery
in the tourism sector after setbacks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and
October 2023’s glacial lake outburst flood.
Tourism minister Tshering T. Bhutia, who
was present as the chief guest of the closing ceremony, lauded PTDA’s sincere
efforts to promote tourism in West Sikkim through the festival. He suggested
that the Kanchenjunga Winter Tourism Festival could evolve into an event of
international recognition akin to Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival.
Bhutia highlighted Sikkim’s immense
potential and resources in tourism and called for their optimal utilization to
achieve comprehensive growth. “We have infrastructural and logistical support,
along with abundant natural resources. What we need is collective participation
of stakeholders and efficient management to bring transformative changes in the
sector,” Bhutia stated.
Discussing State government initiatives,
Bhutia mentioned the planned inauguration of the Pelling ropeway as well as
efforts to resolve traffic congestion in Pelling through a one-way traffic
system. Plans are also in motion to address parking challenges at Kanchenjunga
Waterfalls, improve sanitation facilities and beautify Phamrong Falls, Bhutia
said.
Area MLA and Building and Housing minister
Bhim Hang Subba, along with other dignitaries, attended the festival’s closing ceremony.
