Sikkim Government expects a significant growth in tourist inflow in 2013. The Himalayan State lost significant tourism opportunities in 2012 in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in September 2011 that killed many and destroyed infrastructure.
According to Tourism Minister Bhim Prasad Dhungel, the State Government has put in a lot of effort to improve the infrastructure in the State after the earthquake and things have normalised now.
Ahead of the Sikkim Tourism Festival in February, the Government expects nearly 10 lakh tourists , Dhungel told reporters here on the sidelines of a road show.
Dhungel pointed out that the number of tourists went down to nearly about 5.5 lakh in 2012 following the earthquake from an average of seven lakh.
To be held between February 23 and 27, the International Flower Show in Sikkim will mark the beginning of the Sikkim tourism calendar.
Dhungel said conferences, buyer-seller meets, exhibitions and competitions, and workshops for participants would be held as part of the event. Nearly two lakh travellers are expected for the flower show alone this year, he added.
Airport
According to the Sikkim tourism minister, the greenfield airport project at Pakyong, located in the eastern part of the State, is expected to be operational by 2014.
The upcoming airport, spread over 197.72 hectares of land and developed by Punj Loyd Ltd, would boost the tourism industry in the State, he said.