Sikkim is expected to play host to around 20 lakh tourists this year.
Sikkim Tourism Minister Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia said this while urging all stakeholders including media to safeguard the image of Sikkim as a tourist destination.
Sikkim is presently witnessing the peak tourism season.
Tourists are seen at every village and every nook and corner of Sikkim.
Bhutia stressed that no one should indulge in any activity before the tourists that might malign the image of the State.
Bhutia also lamented that some big hotels in Sikkim are undermining tourism sector by treating tourists in an ‘unprofessional manner’.
He asserted that these hotels do not just belong to the owners, adding that, these big hotels are assets of Sikkim.
The State Tourism Minister was of the opinion that the future of tourism in Sikkim depends on the hotel business.
He added that such hotels must train their workers or sent them to the concerned department for training.
The Tourism Minister also expressed his disappointment on unjustified criticism against the State Government regarding tourism sector.
He also reminded that tourism is a major revenue generator for the people of Sikkim and also for the State government. He urged all stakeholders including media to ensure that the image of Sikkim is not defamed as it will deter tourists from visiting the State.