“Make every village a tourist destination”
Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling wants to make a distinct image for Sikkim in the world in the field of hospitality. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s new agenda is to make every village in the State a tourist destination. His ambition is to make a distinct image for Sikkim in the world in the field of hospitality.

The Chief Minister revealed his plans at the inauguration of Tashi observatory tower-cum cafeteria. The tower has been built at a height of 6000 feet above the sea level.  Recognising the fact that tourism generates employment and ensures substantial economic development, the Chief Minister claimed that his government gave utmost  importance to the development of tourism in the State.

Mr. Chamling further claims that during the last couple of years the flow of tourists to the State had increased significantly. The number of domestic tourists had increased by 17 per cent and foreign tourists by 19 per cent this year over the last year. Last year around 2.5 lakh domestic tourists and around 15,000 foreign tourists had visited the State, the Chief Minister informed.

Terming tourism as the number one industry in the State, the Chief Minister declared that his government wanted to make it one of the model states not only in the country but also in the world. His advice to the younger generation is to change their mind set and take tourism as a profession. He also appealed to the youths to keep the State free from drugs and crime. According to him a good image as a peaceful state will help to make Sikkim one of the important tourist destinations of the world.

The Tashi observatory tower, a four storey structure and designed in octagonal shape with traditional Sikkimise style roofing, was built at a cost of Rs 58.3 lakh with the central government providing Rs 40 lakh and the rest by the State Government. The construction of the 54 feet tower which houses a reading room, a cafeteria and glazed windows would help the tourists to have an uninterrupted view of undulating scenic beauty of the nature. Three telescopes will also be installed soon in the tower to facilitate the tourists to have a panoramic view of the Himalayan range including Mt Kanchanzanga.

Meanwhile, four-day long Namchi Mahostav showcasing the culture, tradition and handicrafts of Sikkim came to an end recently. Thousands of tourists thronged   the festival. The Namchi Mahostav was inaugurated by Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. Sikkim Tourism Minister R.B.Subba, top senior officials and the Mahostav Organising Committee Chairman Vishal Chowhan were present on the occasion.

Namchi Mahostav, the tourism-cum-cultural festival aimed at attracting more tourists from the country and abroad also exhibited beautiful models of traditional houses and the local cuisine. Arrangements were also made for the presentation of cultural programmes for the benefit of the visitors during the festival. This year a competition of flower show had also been organised.