Influx of tourists in Sikkim inspite of heavy rain

Heavy pre-monsoon showers has taken its toll but it has not been able to dampen spirits of thousands of tourists who are still flocking into packed hotels and resorts here in Sikkim. This year in the months of January,February and March an estimated 1,49,140 domestic tourists visited Sikkim which is the highest the state has […]

Heavy pre-monsoon showers has taken its toll but it has not been able to dampen spirits of thousands of tourists who are still flocking into packed hotels and resorts here in Sikkim.

This year in the months of January,February and March an estimated 1,49,140 domestic tourists visited Sikkim which is the highest the state has ever recorded,State Tourism Secretary,SBS Bhaduria said,adding atleast 4,909 number of foreign tourists have visited the state in past three months.

Last year a total of 1,7,730 foreign tourists and 6,15,628 domestic tourists visited Sikkim.

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Many tourists also come to the state for the snowfall which is still being experienced in the upper reaches of Tsomgo Lake and north Sikkim.

“People come to Sikkim to escape from the scorching heat. However keeping in mind the inconvenience that the rains can cause to the travelers,we have also arranged with the state R&B department,GREF and BRO to keep all state highways open for the commuters,” Bhaduria said here.

The secretary said that the International Rhododendron Festival (IRF) that is being organised at Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary in north Sikkim might also be a reason behind the influx of tourists in the state.

But he also maintained that rush of visitors is almost the same in other seasons also as tourists were slowly exploring the potential of the state as a holiday destination.

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Bhaduria said all hotels have been fully booked till next month.