GANGTOK,: Sikkim Tourism minister Tshering T. Bhutia participated in the North Eastern and Eastern States/ Union Territories Tourism Ministers Conference held in Shillong on Monday.
The meeting, chaired by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat focused on enhancing tourism collaboration among North-Eastern States and Union Territories. Minister of State for Tourism & Petroleum Gas Suresh Gopi was also present.
Minister Tshering T. Bhutia was accompanied by principal secretary C.S Rao, additional director (Hospitality) N.T Bhutia, deputy director Prashant Pakhrin and media consultant Laxmi Prasad Sharma from State Tourism department.
At the conference, Bhutia highlighted the progress and ongoing projects of Sikkim tourism and elaborated on the significant initiatives taken to promote and develop tourism industry in Sikkim. He mentioned the various measures adopted for development of tourism sector in Sikkim.
Bhutia shared that under the leadership of Chief Minister P.S. Golay the State government is committed to develop Sikkim into a premier year-round destination, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are distributed equitably across the society, fostering social and economic development, and empowering people of the State.
During the day-long conference, Union minister Shekhawat emphasized developing iconic tourist destinations, improving connectivity, cleanliness, and promoting investments through public-private partnerships (PPP). He asked the States to submit proposals under schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD to foster tourism growth in spiritual, cultural, eco-tourism and other sectors.
The conference is the third in a series, following similar meetings in Chandigarh and Goa, aimed at bolstering the tourism sector nationwide.
Later, the Sikkim tourism minister apprised the Union Tourism minister on various issues including road connectivity and sought special focus on Sikkim for its overall development in the tourism sector. Speaking to this reporter, Bhutia informed that the Union minister assured him that Sikkim will be prioritised for the development and promotion of tourism.
Earlier, C.S. Rao gave a detailed presentation on the proposed tourist centres of the State, alternate destinations, marketing and promotion, EODB, investment opportunities, cleanliness and tourist safety, etc.
The Union Tourism minister appreciated the initiatives and vision of the Sikkim government and assured required support in development of alternative destinations in the State of Sikkim.
After the conference, Bhutia, also in charge of Commerce & Industries department, departed for Delhi where he is scheduled to attend the upcoming industry ministers’ conference on September 5.