From Lakhs to Near Zero: Sikkim’s Tourism Sector Hit Hard as No Bookings Yet Despite Peak Season Just Days Away

With the key access route to Sikkim, National Highway 10, remaining closed for nearly two months now, the state’s stakeholders are concerned about the potential impact on visitor numbers and significant loss as the peak tourist season approaches.

NH 10 the lifeline of Sikkim with its borders China, which connects Sikkim with other parts of the country remains cut off since June 28, 2024, due to massive landslides hitting the state.

Speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, Suman Chettri, President of the All Sikkim Travel and Hospitality Association (ASTHA), expressed deep concern and said that currently, there is almost zero number of tourists booking. While some potential visitors are making inquiries, they often reconsider when they learn they must take a longer detour via Lava in Kalimpong district of West Bengal. Many are opting for alternative hill stations instead.

Chettri appealed to the Sikkim Government to address the NH 10 issue promptly.

He also emphasized the need for collaborative efforts, suggesting that officials from Sikkim, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling convene a coordination meeting to address the connectivity problem and mitigate its impact on the tourism industry.

Tourism stakeholders have also launched a social media campaign titled ‘Open NH10, #SaveTourism’ to raise awareness and push for a swift resolution.

Earlier, Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba raised the issue of multiple sections of NH 10 and urged the Centre to urgently hand over the maintenance and upgradation of the highway to National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for smooth operation and to ensure better management and timely resolution of such disruptions in the future as West Bengal does not take proper maintenance of it.

Indra Hang Subba said that the NH-10 stretches from Sevoke to Rangpo also falls under West Bengal’s jurisdiction and because of the poor maintenance of the stretch from the West Bengal side, Sikkim ended up bearing the brunt.

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