27/03/2025
𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞? 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐤𝐤𝐢𝐦 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬
It was supposed to be a dream trip to the highlands of North Sikkim. A traveler, eager to witness the untouched beauty of Lachung and beyond, had followed all the necessary procedures—permits arranged, documents checked, itinerary planned. But somewhere along the journey, a crucial formality slipped through—he missed a check-post stamp.
The reason? The official wasn’t present at the time, and there was no clear guidance on where to get the stamp. Unaware of the missing requirement, he continued toward Shiva Mandir Point, only to be stopped and asked to turn back. Frustration set in—not because the rule was unfair, but because there was no way for him to correct the mistake without making the long journey back. Instead of enjoying his trip, he left with a sour experience—one he would share with others, possibly discouraging future visitors.
This incident raises a critical question—shouldn’t our system be designed to assist travelers rather than create obstacles? Should we continue operating in a way that frustrates tourists, or should we adapt to global best practices and make Sikkim a truly welcoming destination?
𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦: 𝐀 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡
Tourism isn’t just about scenic spots; it’s about the overall experience. While rules and regulations are necessary, the way they are implemented defines how visitors perceive a place. In this case, the issue wasn’t the check-post requirement itself, but the lack of assistance in ensuring travelers were guided through the process seamlessly.
𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔, 𝒘𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉:
Officials Must Be Accessible and Proactive – Security personnel and check-post officials should actively engage with travelers, ensuring that all formalities are completed rather than expecting visitors to find them.
Clear and Well-Communicated Processes – Proper signage, digital notices, or even a simple mobile alert system could help tourists understand and complete necessary documentation effortlessly.
Hospitality Embedded in Enforcement – A welcoming attitude from officials ensures that while rules are upheld, visitors don’t feel like they are being policed but rather assisted.
This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating a tourism-friendly image. If we aspire to be a globally recognized destination, we must blend security with service, making visitors feel valued rather than burdened by bureaucratic inefficiencies.
𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐤𝐤𝐢𝐦’𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞
Beyond fixing bureaucratic inefficiencies, Sikkim must also rethink how it markets itself. Tourism is no longer driven solely by brochures and government campaigns; it thrives in the digital age, where travel influencers and social media content creators shape global perceptions. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok have turned destinations into viral sensations overnight.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
Travel influencers are modern-day storytellers. They showcase destinations through immersive visuals, engaging narratives, and real-time experiences. Unlike promotional campaigns, their content feels authentic and relatable, making it highly persuasive. Countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and the Maldives have leveraged influencers to attract millions of tourists, offering them incentives such as hosted stays, exclusive experiences, and simplified processes.
𝐒𝐢𝐤𝐤𝐢𝐦’𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
While Sikkim boasts breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and an environmentally conscious tourism model, we lag behind in influencer engagement. Our bureaucratic red tape, stringent permits, and expectation that influencers must seek formal approvals create unnecessary barriers. Instead of recognizing their value as global brand ambassadors, we make their work difficult, leading them to promote other destinations instead.
𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Bali, Dubai, and the Maldives actively collaborate with influencers, providing special access, free stays, and hassle-free documentation.
Japan and Switzerland focus on creating influencer-friendly policies that ensure positive narratives spread worldwide.
Dubai and Thailand even have dedicated tourism bodies that partner with top creators to reach millions of potential visitors.
Sikkim, too, can embrace this model. Instead of treating travel influencers as ordinary tourists, we should recognize them as strategic partners in tourism promotion. Offering seamless access, simplified procedures, and active engagement can transform Sikkim into a sought-after global travel destination.
𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬
Sikkim’s tourism future depends on how we balance security, hospitality, and modern marketing strategies. A small shift in approach—where tourists are guided rather than reprimanded and influencers are welcomed rather than restricted—can go a long way in making Sikkim not just a place of beauty but a benchmark for seamless and welcoming travel experiences.
If we truly wish to position Sikkim as a globally admired destination, we must evolve our systems to ensure that every visitor leaves not just with photographs but with unforgettable memories and a desire to return. It’s time for a tourism model that works for everyone—tourists, officials, and the people of Sikkim alike.
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