Heavy snowfall hits Sikkim’s tourism sector

The granting of passes to tourists for visiting Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass is only permitted up to 15 miles from Gangtok

If you thought tourists flock to places with snow and enjoy snowfalls, well not always. Sikkim, the Himalayan state known for its picturesque terrain and snowfall is now bearing the brunt of heavy snowfall. After hundreds of tourists were stranded at several locations of the state including the famous Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass, two of Sikkim’s tourist hotspots, transporters and cab operators are now facing hard times as tourists are cancelling their trips amid incidents of heavy snowfall and road blockades.

The continuous snowfall in Sikkim is having a negative impact on the state’s tourism sector causing a number of booking cancellations in the state’s eastern and northern regions. Making things worse for the travel agencies and tour operators is the fact that tourists are  asking for refunds.

Speaking to Northeast Live, Gelek Gyatso, a travel agency owner said, “Visitors come to see the snow, and the snowfall blocks roads. The tourism department, in my opinion, is not doing enough to clear the snow from the roads. They are at least succeeding in rescuing the stranded visitors. The state’s travel agencies have brought up the issues at every meeting and asked for snow removal equipment to clear the roadways of snow. After making considerable expenditures to visit to the state’s tourist destinations, tourists are disappointed when they are unable to do so due to snowfall.”

“It will be very difficult for the tourism sector if the situation remains the same as this, ” he added.

As per inputs, around 900 tourists were stranded along JN Road which connects Gangtok with Tsongmo lake and Nathula after heavy snowfall disrupted road communication. The tourists were sheltered in an army camp for a night and rescued the next morning.

It may be mentioned here that the granting of passes to tourists for visiting Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass is only permitted up to 15 miles from Gangtok.

Also Read : IMD predicts widespread rainfall over Northeast till 22 March

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