The first batch of tourists on Monday reached different destinations of Mangan, the sole district located in the northern part of the mountain state of Sikkim, after a gap of around 14 months.
After October 4, 2023, when the glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) had wreaked havoc in Sikkim, the movement of tourists halted in northern parts of the state. The flash flood caused extensive damage to roads and swept away bridges that connect tourist hotspots like Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang and Yumesemdong.
On Monday, the state tourism and civil aviation department of Sikkim allowed tourists to move into these places. Representatives of the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS), the largest association of tourism stakeholders in Sikkim, said around 122 vehicles, including some two-wheelers, reached Lachung, carrying around 800 tourists.
Lukendra Rasaily, the adviser to TAAS, said the first day’s turnout of tourists was encouraging.
Hoteliers, travel agents and transporters had all suffered losses over the past year due to the natural disaster that halted tourist movement.
“There are 150-odd hotels in Lachung and another 130 hotels in Lachen. The owners of these hotels suffered losses. Many were forced to close their business for more than one year as not a single tourist checked into their properties. The state’s decision to reopen north Sikkim has come as a respite for them,” said Rasaily.
The northern parts of Sikkim, near the India-China border, had always drawn
huge numbers of domestic and international tourists, especially during winters when these areas experience snowfall.
Samrat Sanyal, the general secretary of Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network, an apex body of tourism stakeholders, also hailed the decision.
“The decision to reopen north Sikkim will provide an opportunity for adventure enthusiasts, bikers and people who want to enjoy snowfall. It will also boost the local economy that is considerably dependent on tourism,” said Sanyal.