Sikkim

Essential Elements

Table Of Contents
About Sikkim Accessibility Social Indicators People & Culture Sources Of Revenue Tourism Statistics Tourist Festivals Adventure Sports Types Of Tourism Tourist Attractions East, West, North South SWOT Analysis Of Tourism Shopping Mayfair Review Investment Opportunities

About Sikkim

Sikkim is a very small hidden paradise located north/east of India. It is India's 22nd state It comprise s of beautiful mountains, valleys, historical sites and religious shrines Sikkim has four districts East Sikkim, West Sikkim, North Sikkim South Sikkim Capital : Gangtok Smallest state in terms of population 2nd smallest in area after Goa Hot tourism spot for domestic and foreign tourists

Accessibility
Airways
1.
The airport located nearest to Sikkim is Bagdogra Airport of West Bengal which is only 124 Kms away from Gangtok 2. In Gangtok, major air ticketing agencies are Josse & Josse Travels and Cox & King.

Railways
1.

New Jalpaiguri (125 km) and Siliguri (114 km) [West Bengal] are the two rail stations nearest to Sikkim(Gangtok)

2.

Reservation facilities are available from Sikkim Nationalized Transport office in all working days

Accessibility
Roadways
1. Two hour ride on National Highway 31A which connects Gangtok with Siliguri 2. Adequate buses by SNT as well as private buses , jeeps and taxies are available from morning to evening

Sikkim Helicopter Service

1. 2. 3.

Sikkim Tourism provides this service from Gangtok to Bagdogra Airport and back. Special Mountain Flights Special Sight-Seeing Flights covering monasteries & exotic flower valleys of West & North Sikkim
.

Sikkim Tourism Details

Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC)
Mr. John (Assistant General Manager) Ms. Deo Maya Mrs. Tshering Wangmo 94341-27252 9943630349 9434484617

Official No: 281372/281316 Email : stdcsikkim@yahoo.com Bagdogra to Gangtok Mr. Madan Pradhan (D.D.) Siliguri Tourist Information Center Bagdogra Mr. Nima Mr. Gopal Bagdogra Office : 0353-2698030

98320-65617

98323-63957 98320-26699

Social indicators

Population 406457

Communities Nepalese , Bhutias, Christians, Muslims and few others

Languages -Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, English and Hindi Religion - Hindu-67%, Buddhist-29%, Christian-2%, Muslim-1%, others-1% Best Session - From Mid - February to late May and from October to December State - Animal Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) State Bird - Blood Pheasant (Ithanginis Cruentus) State flower - Nobile Orchid (Dendrobium Nobile)

The People & The Culture

The People of Sikkim consist of three ethnic groups : Lepcha Bhutia Nepali Local Delicacies Momo Thupka

Saelroti Chhurpi Kinema Gundruk Sinki

Places Of Worship

Hindu Temples coexist with Buddhist Monasteries, Churches, Mosque and Gurudwara

Sources Of Revenue

Agriculture Horticulture Forestry Mining Liquor Industry Hydro Electricity Generation Handicraft & Handlooms industry Inland Fisheries Livestock

Tourism

Tourism is going to be developed as most important sector for contribution of the GDP Tourism has created a substantial employment, directly or indirectly Tourists :
Year Local Foreign 2003 1, 76,659 11,966 2008 5, 00,000 23,000 2009 6, 00,000 23,000*

State has received more than 21 number of National Awards in Tourism in various fields.

Tourism statistics
Month January February March April May June July August Septemb er October Novemb er Decembe r total Domestic tourist 2010 40160 48420 60560 87172 116641 68236 27021 37180 53624 59582 48764 52651 700011 Foreign tourist 2010 984 1320 2605 3036 1593 830 680 979 1678 2780 2410 1861 20757 Domestic 2011 42314 50652 62438 89238 124323 Foreign 2011 1436 1065 2423 2615 2875

368965

10414

Foreign tourist arrival in year 2010 is highest in the month of April and October Domestic tourist arrival in 2011 is more in the months of March , April and May In the month of May there is an increase in the number of domestic and foreign tourist arrivals There is an increasing trend in the number of tourist arrival

Tourist Festivals
Flower festival Gangtok is the venue for the Flower Festival. The flower festival begins with the Orchid Show in March during which competitions are held in different sections.

Gangtok food and culture festival

Hee-Bermiock Heritage & Tourism Festival Khangchendzonga Tourist festival

December is the month for the annual Gangtok Food and Culture Festival . Sikkims multicultural cuisine, along with traditional music and dance performances
Hee Bermiock hosts the annual Heritage & Tourism Festival on the 10th to the 13th of May, showcasing the traditional culture of the state. Khangchendzonga Festival is held in December every year at Pelling, It offers a host of fun activities like white-water rafting on the Rangit, kayaking, promotional trekking, mountain biking, sightseeing, traditional sports and bird- watching.

Lampokhari Tourism Festival

The Lampokhari Tourism Festival is held during end of March and early April. The major attraction of the Festival is adventure sports. Its a 3 day music festival held at Mangan in North Sikkim from the 12th to the 14th of December every year. Its a destination for thousands of tourists who come here in October each year for the annual Namchi Mahotsav, a unique festival showcasing the traditional culture of Sikkim. Is held at Ravangla from 8th to 12th of April . The festival hosts an exhibition cum sale of handicrafts from Sikkim, other North Eastern states and Bhutan.

Mangan Music Festival Namchi Mahotsav

Ravangla Festival

Adventure sports

Trekking

River rafting
Mountain biking

Mountaineering
Yak riding

Bird watching
Parks & sanctuaries

Types Of Tourism

State Tourism is the tourism carried across the 4 districts of Sikkim Ecotourism is the tourism promoted with emphasis on local culture, ecology and environment Village Tourism is dispersal of tourists from city congestion to the villages so that they can have a glimpse of rural Sikkim, familiarize with unique village culture and heritage

Adventure Tourism involves adventure tourism related activities such as Trekking, Mountain climbing and Mountaineering, Rock climbing, River crossing, Paragliding, Bungee Jumping, White water rafting, Angling and many other types of traditional adventures MICE Tourism: Meetings, Incentives, Convention and Exhibition The suitable venues along with all the facilities, transport, and communication will be developed as well as tourism oriented expositions at land mark venues

Types Of Tourism

Health, Yoga & Herbal Medical Tourism is a combination of AdventureEcoWellness tourism Facilities such as Meditation, Yoga, Spa, Herbal treatment, Jogging etc at the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure & Ecotourism (IHCAE) at Chemchey (South Sikkim) Pilgrimage Tourism in which many temples and other pilgrimage places, sacred lakes, sacred rocks & caves etc. offer a wide range of pilgrimages places

Fairs and Festivals are spread all over the season, well organized, widely publicized & target the tourists on well defined themes
Arts Crafts and Souvenirs are the integrated part of tourism industry and it will be developed & promoted on the top priority for generation of employment & income

Major Tourist Attractions- East District

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

8.
9. 10. 11.

12.
13.

Enchey Monastery Do-Drul Chorten ( Stupa) Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Saramsa Garden Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden Water Garden Tsomgo Lake Nathula Tashi View Point Ganesh Tok Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre

Major Tourist Attractions- West District

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

8.
9. 10. 11.

12.
13.

Pemayangtse Monastery Rabdentse Ruins Sanga-Choling Monastery Khecheopalri Lake Yuksam Tashiding Monastery Varsey Soreng Village Darap Cherny Village Dubdi Monastery Khangchendzonga Waterfalls Khecheopalri Lake Pelling

Major Tourist Attractions- North District

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

8.
9. 10. 11.

12.
13.

Phodong Monastery Phensang Monastery Singhik Chungthang Lachung Monastery Yumthang Valley Lachen Monastery Guru-Dongmar Lake Rong Lungten Lee Seven Sisters Waterfulls Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary Thangu Yumthang

Major Tourist Attractions- South District

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

8.
9. 10. 11.

12.
13.

Namchi Temi Tea Garden Ravangla township Menam Hill Borong Samdrupste Phur Tsa Chu Rock Garden Kewzing Village Borong Buddha Park (Sakyamuni Project) Sikip Solophok Chardham

SWOT ANALYSIS FOR TOURISM

Strengths Political & Social stability Hospitable society Rich Natural Resources, Pollution Free environment Rich Biodiversity Cultural diversity Rich natural and rural landscape Fairs, Festivals, Holistic Healing Traditions Heritage & Modern structure Weaknesses Poor Connectivity No Airport Lack of strong Brand identity/ USP Insufficient Financial resources for world class infrastructure Insufficient marketing in domestic and international market Problem of land availability & land Acquisition Limited facilities outside urban areas Poor availability of Skilled Human resources Threats Failing to involve the communities in decision-making process Poor management of rural / village marketing Cross-Border Competition outside India Competitive States within India Natural Disasters Non-vernacular structures Domestic & International conflicts /disturbances

Opportunities Natural Resources Huge potential for village tourism Unique Wetland tourism Wellness Tourism Wilderness Tourism Rich & diverse heritage, culture and civilization Strong Private Sector

SHOPPING

In Sikkim major shopping opportunities are available in the capital city of Gangtok. One can shop handloom and handicraft items produced in the state , thanka paintings, carpets, handlooms, wooden carved and painted items, wooden masks, cane and bamboo works, traditional hats and caps, multi-craft items, embroidered products and stuffed dolls. Jewellery - The Dragon set is unique to Sikkim. Intricately carved in silver and gold and inlaid with precious stones these consist of finely designed dragons on earrings, pendants, bracelets and finger-rings Tea - The Temi Tea Estate in Sikkim grows excellent tea which is highly prized in the world market. Large Cardamom or Bari Elaichi - Cardamom or Elaichi grows in abundance in Sikkim Sikkim Liquor & Liqueurs - Sikkim Fireball Special Brandy, a fruit based alcohol is a popular item sought by tourists. You can also buy the Sikkim Ginger Liqueur and the Sikkim Cardamom Liquor . .

Reviews on Mayfair

Good leisurely stay, the rooms were very spacious and leisurely plus the services were excellent The property is beautiful, 9 kms away from the Gangtok city. Offers amazing spa services and has good entertainment facility. Taxis are easily available from right outside so no problems of commuting. One of the best place to stay based on buddisim,mayfair itself is a tourist place. One can say mayfair is more beautiful place rather then any place in Sikkim.

Mayfair in Gangtok is a property ideal for those who wish to spend quality time with family. It has a beautiful ambience and is a sprawling property with different types of flora thanks to the pleasant climate. Rooms are done up in typical European fashion. Spacious interiors and good food make the stay worthwhile High end cottages have attached swimming pools.
But the food is same everyday and not very delicious Good hotel but transport facility needs urgent attention.

Investment opportunities

Sikkim, due to its spectacular natural beauty, cultural uniqueness and religious mysticism, is emerging as a tourist destination in the Eastern Himalayas. It includes wealth of natural resources, the third highest mountain of the world, rich flora and fauna , the cultural festivals and the ancient monasteries and temples . The Government of Sikkim is encouraging private participation in the developmental and commercial activities of the tourism sector.

There are tremendous opportunities for investment in meeting the tourists demands for resorts, hotels, restaurants, surface and air transports, entertainment outlets, souvenirs, etc.
State has received more than 15 National Awards in Tourism in various fields

Land Acquisition Problems

5-A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1884, which required a public hearing of the concerned landowners
The State government has taken away the fundamental rights of the people (Right to Property) as enshrined in the Constitution and in violation of Article 371 (F) applicable to Sikkim by repealing the relevant provision of the Land Acquisition Act to deny the public an opportunity of hearing to oppose forcible acquisition of their land along with a notification issued by the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary to do away with a mandatory public hearing The State government had issued a notification for acquisition of about 26 hectares of East Sikkim for the purpose of development of tourism infrastructure by the tourism department last month. People who donated their land for the Sikkim University allege that inspite of providing cheap land to Sikkim University , the concerned department has discriminated among the land donors. The department has awarded higher rates to some land donors and less to others The state government is only making a drama of resettlement issue in regards to SU land acquisition but the fact is that the government does not want to allocate the acquired land to Sikkim University.