GANGTOK: The Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim with a robust delegation of 71 participants comprising key stakeholders from across the tourism sector is actively participating in the Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) Kolkata 2025, being held from July 10th to 12th at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Kolkata.
This includes representatives from 10 Village Tourism Committees, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS), Sikkim United Tour Operators (SUTO), Homestay Association of Sikkim (HAS), All Sikkim Travel and Hospitality Association (ASTHA), Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Ecotourism (IHCAE), Rabong Tourism Development Committee, Namchi Tourism Development Cooperative Society, Pelling Tourism Development Association, Sikkim Hotel and Restaurant Association (SHRA) and TSA, Sikkim INSPIRES.
TTF is one of India’s leading travel trade show networks serving as a significant B2B platform offering valuable marketing opportunities, facilitating engagement with the travel industry across major metropolitan hubs. It provides a dynamic space for exhibitors to showcase new tourism developments and promote emerging destinations.
Sikkim’s participation in TTF aims at fostering tourism partnerships and showcasing the vibrant tourism offerings of Sikkim, with a focus on sustainable and community-based models like village homestays. The event is being participated under the Marketing and Promotion component of Sikkim INSPIRES project, a press release from Tourism department informs.
The key highlight of the inaugural day was a special panel discussion to promote Soreng and Yangang as emerging tourist destinations in Sikkim.
The discussion was participated by Raj Kumari Thapa, Deputy Speaker and Area MLA, Rangang-Yangang and Aditya Golay, Area MLA, Soreng-Chakhung. The panel also featured Advisor to Tourism & Civil Department-cum- Area MLA, Maneybong- Dentam. Sudesh Kumar Subba, Political Secretary (Press & Publicity) to the Chief Minister, Bikash Basnett and Raj Basu, Founder of Association for Conservation and Tourism.
The event also was graced by Karma Subba, OSD to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, and Erastus Lepcha, Additional Political Secretary to the Chief Minister..
The panel lauded the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay towards community involvement for promoting sustainable and experience driven tourism initiatives in Sikkim and also emphasized the Government of Sikkim’s renewed commitment to diversifying its tourism offerings by promoting Yangang and Soreng as emerging tourist destinations. These locations were introduced as slow travel destinations, a part of the state’s vision to unlock lesser-known gems that offer rich cultural heritage, eco-tourism potential, and immersive local experiences.
While the spotlight was on upcoming locales, the panel also reaffirmed the importance of Sikkim’s established tourism hubs such as Gangtok, Pelling, Ravangla, North Sikkim etc. The discussion revolved around creating a balanced tourism ecosystem—one that sustains the popularity of existing destinations while nurturing new ones to reduce pressure and promote equitable development. The discussion further highlighted key issues like connectivity and accessibility also underscoring the Government’s commitment to decentralizing tourism and promoting new circuits.
The Sikkim pavilion at TTF Kolkata received an enthusiastic response as well as wide media coverage from prominent news agencies and industry stakeholders, reflecting the growing appeal of the state’s eco-friendly, adventure, and cultural tourism offerings. With this strong and inclusive participation, Sikkim reaffirms its position as a leading progressive and a dream tourism destination in the Eastern Himalayas, the release mentions.
- SA Report
