International travel agencies, homestay operators to connect at Sikkim Rural Tourism Meet 2025

GYALSHING,  (IPR):Maneybung-Dentam MLA Sudesh Kumar Subba, who is also an advisor to State Tourism department,today highlighted the significance of the upcoming Sikkim Rural Tourism Meet 2025 in promoting rural tourism.

The event, scheduled to take placeat Gumpa Dara, Uttarey from March 22 to 24, is being organized under the Sikkim INSPIRES (Integrated Service Provision and Innovation for Reviving Economies) scheme, which aims to boost economic inclusion through rural tourism.

Addressing a press conference, Subbainformed that Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang will attended the event on March 23 as the chief guest. The meet will witness participation from nationally and internationally recognised travel and tourism agencies, including representatives from Bhutan and Nepal. Additionally, rural tourism development societies from 32 constituencies, homestay operators and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to engage directly with these agencies, facilitating business growth and strengthening the rural tourism sector in Sikkim.

To enhance promotional outreach, the area MLA encouraged homestay operators to hand over brochures and pamphlets for distribution among the attending agencies. He also announced the introduction of adventure tourism activities at the event, including paragliding (commencing on March 21), hot air balloon rides, mountain biking (Uttarey to Tenzing-Hillary Memorial Park/Chewabhanjyang) and bungee jumping at Singshore Bridge. These activities will be conducted under expert supervision, with open invitations for trainees and participants.

In an effort to promote tourism education, students pursuing tourism-related courses in schools and colleges have also been invited to attend and gain insights from the event. Additionally, informative hoardings showcasing the region’s rich biodiversity, including animals, butterflies, birds, lakes, and other tourist attractions, will be displayed throughout the venue.

Through this platform, the MLA extended an invitation to all rural tourism stakeholders, people of the State and tourists worldwide to participate in the three-day meet-cum-convention at Utteray and take advantage of the services provided and experience the traditions, culture and ethnicity of the region and the state.

During the press conference, Tourism principal chief engineer Neeraj Pradhan provided an overview of the event, emphasizing its focus on strengthening rural tourism businesses and homestay operations. He shared that over 50 top travel agencies have been invited along with India Today, TV18 and Jio Hotstar to ensure wide publicity and media coverage.

The event will also feature a B2B convention, facilitating one-on-one business interactions and marketing strategy discussions for rural tourism entrepreneurs. He encouraged homestay operators and stakeholders to actively participate, highlighting the immense opportunities the event presents for their growth.

The official logo for Sikkim Rural Tourism Meet 2025 was unveiled during the event.

Following the press conference, a detailed field inspection was conducted, with discussions focusing on infrastructural preparedness, logistical arrangements, stakeholder coordination and promotional strategies to showcase the tourism potential of the region.

The Sikkim Rural Tourism Meet 2025 aims to serve as a milestone event in strengthening the rural tourism sector, bringing together stakeholders from across the region and beyond to promote Sikkim as a premier rural tourism destination.