Tourism - A Conceptual Framework

Chapter I- Tourism: A Conceptual Framework

Chapter I Tourism: A Conceptual Framework 1.1

Tourism: Concept, Definitions, Types and Historical Development

1.2

Destination: Meaning, Destination Policy, Planning, Development and Management

1.3

Tourism in the World Scenario

1.4

Tourism in India : An Overview

1.5

Tourism Development in Sikkim 1.5.1

Geographical Importance of Sikkim

1.5.2

Tourism Potentials of Sikkim

1.6

Tourism Products in Sikkim

1.7

Conclusion

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1.1.

Tourism:

Concept,

Definitions,

Types

and

Historical

Development

I

n simple terms Tourism is the act of travel for the purposes of leisure, pleasure or business, and the provision of services for this act. There are two important components that make up tourism. These are the (i) practice of travelling for

pleasure recreation etc. and (ii) the business of providing tours and services for persons travelling. The issues incorporated in the first component are discretionary income (i.e. money to spend on non-essentials), the time involved and the infrastructure in the form of accommodation facilities and means of transport. Other component has four basic services to be provided for Tourists. These are, travel arrangements, board and lodge, food and entertainment. The United Nations Conference on International Travel and Tourism held in Rome in 1963 considered a definition and recommended that it be studied by the United Nations Statistical Commission. A revised definition was prepared and adopted. The conference considered the term “Visitor” as ‘any person visiting a country 1 other than that in which he has his usual place of residence, for any reasons other than following an occupation remunerated from within the country visited. This definition covered: (i) Tourists, i.e. temporary visitors staying at least twenty four hours in the country visited and the purpose of whose journey can be classified under one of the following headings: (a) leisure ( recreation, holiday, health, study, religion and sport), (b) business, family, mission, meeting. (ii) Excursionists, i.e. temporary visitors staying less than twenty four hours in the country visited (including travelers on cruises) According to Prof. Hunziker and Krapf (1942) ‘ tourism is the totality of relationship and phenomenon arising from the travel and stay of strangers, provided the stay does not imply the establishment of a permanent residence and is not connected with a 1

Or a region, province, state/ Union Territory- if domestic tourism and long haul trip by air when the destination is 12000 miles away.

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remunerated activity.’ Tourism is an activity of traveling people in the places outside their non-residence, for not more than one year, for business, leisure and other purposes (UNWTO, 1993). J. Jafari ( May 2003) said, “tourism now means different things to different people. To governments, tourism may mean sources of employment, economic activities, per capita expenditure, and multiplier effects; to the industry sectors, it may suggest promotion, arrivals, length of stay, receipts; while to religious groups, it brings to mind pilgrimage, spiritual search, universal brotherhood, unacceptable forms to tourist practices. To anthropologists, tourism represents a domain of study which includes contracts between the hosts and the guest, culture change, commoditization of heritage, prudence. Finally , to the hosts destinations, tourism means American tourists, Japanese tourists, inflation, intrusion; and to the tourists themselves, tourism offers escape from the daily routines, indulgence in leisure pursuits, rests and relaxation, education (p.6)”. Types and Forms of Tourism While discussing the types and forms of tourism it is better to identify and consider the important parameters based on which we get different types and forms of tourism. These types and forms of tourism are many and no single source of information can cover all of these. But a detail knowledge and idea of destination resources, destination environment and destination market analysis can introduce types and forms rightly. So, types and forms of tourism are largely destination specific and ever changing keeping in view the changing market areas and demand aspects. Eco-tourism Tourism that combines local economic development, protection of the quality of the environment and promotion of the natural advantages and the history of an area. The combination of all or some of the above mentioned kinds of tourism could contribute significantly to the development of tourism in any country. The availability of tourist packages involving gastronomy, entertainment and information about the cultural Page 3


wealth of a country should be regarded as a priority issue for tourist agents, as it will reduce the concentration of tourist activity in certain areas and will improve and enrich the tourist. Rural Tourism Any form of tourism that showcases the rural life, art, culture and heritage at rural locations, thereby, benefiting the local community economically and socially as well as enabling interaction between the tourists and the locals for a more enriching tourism experience an be termed as rural tourism. It is multifaceted and may entail farm/agricultural tourism, cultural tourism, nature tourism, adventure tourism, and eco- tourism. The stress of urban lifestyle has led to this counter- urbanization approach to tourism. There are various factors that have lead to this changing trend towards rural tourism like increasing levels of awareness, growing interest in heritage and culture and improved accessibility and environmental consciousness, Tourists like to visit villages to experience and live a relaxed and healthy lifestyle. Ethnic Tourism Ethnic tourism is travelling for the purpose of observing the cultural expressions of lifestyles of truly exotic people. Such tourism is exemplified by travel to Panama to study the San Blas Indians or to India to observe the isolated hill tribes of Assam. Typical destination activities would include visits to native homes, attending traditional ceremonies and dances, and possibly participating in religious rituals. Event Based Tourism Events are an effective way of attracting visitors. Sikkim has been operating a number of successful, long-running events, and over recent years new events have been introduced. Major themes of existing events could be Tibatean food, wine, yak riding, agricultural-related, fishing, heritage and gardening. Irrespective of the events devised for Sikkim, it is essential that events are: Relevant to community in which they are Page 4


held; Spread visitation across the year and the region; Support the theme for the town and region; Reinforce the name ‘Sikkim and its destinations’ in their publicity; and Create interest for both local residents and visitors. Conferences A noticeable

trend in comparatively old destinations of Sikkim is the increasing

emphasis on MICE tourism. Opportunities exist to make greater use of Sikkim for conferences with a separate positioning. However, tourism related infrastructure development, quality accommodation etc. need would need to be addressed for future. Sports Tourism Sikkim has an immense potentiality for adventure and sports. This highly specialized tourism activity can ensure quality tourism with high per capita tourist expenditure. Recreational fishing, trekking, bi-cycling, river running, mountaineering, By working with facility owners/managers and representatives of sporting organizations, there may be potential for organized sporting events to be developed during times when the facilities are not normally used. Cultural Tourism The region’s cultural assets need to be utilized to create interesting experience, opportunities for visitors. The Aboriginal culture at Cherbourg is considered to be under-utilized as a tourism product, given the high standard of facilities available at the community's visitor centre with its arts, crafts and botanic gardens. Activities around the established farming venture have good potential for further development. Special Interest Tourism Small Sikkim has a wide ranging scope for special interest tourism with many unique interest and fabulous experience. Orchid, wine, tea, forests, horticulture and floriculture, ropeways, helicopter services, lakes are some of the key interest components for unique experiences. Page 5


Wine Tourism Wine tourism is special-interest travel based on the desire to visit wine-producing regions, or in which travelers are induced to visit wine-producing regions, and wineries in particular, while travelling for other reasons (Getz, 2000).This definition is a demand-side understanding of tourism behavior. The emphasis is on understanding who engages in wine tourism, as well as why (e.g. motivation and preferences) and how (e.g. where they go or what they do). From the destination’s perspective (supply-side), wine tourism is developing and marketing wineries, vineyards, wine events and wine-related themes to attract visitors. Considering both the demand and supply side aspects of wine tourism in Sikkim it can be said that the State has a huge potentiality for wine tourism. Cave Tourism South Sikkim and West Sikkim are very famous places for ancient caves. Caves, rocks and Stupas are important resources for cultural and special interest tourists in Sikkim and almost all North-Eastern states in India. Historical Evolution and Development Travelling was always interesting and inquisitive to the global community right from the early days. In ancient times, man travelled to fulfill basic requirement f gathering food, he then made settlements and then travelled to sell his surplus crops and to meet his relations. Man travelled thereafter in search of knowledge as well as business opportunities. It indicates that the primary motivation for travel was not for pleasure but mainly for trade, commerce and related activities during those days. Over the years, new discoveries, automation and increase in wealth, led to travel for the sake of rest and pleasure to get away from the monotony of daily life. These developments paved the way for the development of travel and tourism in the subsequent period. The Phoenicians were probably the first travelers in the modern sense.

Full credit

goes to them for the invention of money, in 3000 BC which in turn paved the way for the development of trade and commerce. Traders could pay for travel and Page 6


accommodation. This in turn established the way for development of organized travel. Romans were in fact pioneers of pleasure tourism. They provided necessary infrastructure such as good roads, places to stay en-route, travel booklets. Frequently, they visited temples, monuments, pyramids, seaside resorts, spas and the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th Century AD, resulted in the fall of their pleasure travel. This period, even today, is termed as the “Dark Age” for tourism. In the 16 th century, the introduction of holidays was the landmark in the history of tourism. These travellers belonged to the elite section of the society. The renaissance, development of urban system and progress of the road system gave rise to tourism in Europe. Italy which was the intellectual capital of Europe and attracted noble men from different parts of Europe who considered travel as essential to complete their education. Thus the concept of “Grand Tour” became popular. These tourists respected learning, antiquities and social refinements of the old world. Travel increased with the increase in new wealth in the hands of the middle class people. The years between 1763 and 1793 were considered to be the golden age of the Grand Tour. These grand tours included the poets, authors, and intellectuals and they paved the way for popular tourism in the 19th & 20th centuries. Military expeditions and wars resulted in the mass movement of people, besides the discovery of new trade routes to hitherto unknown destinations. In the middle ages the main motive for travel was religion. Travel for religious purposes was a well established custom in most part of the world. The spread of religion subsequently led to numerous pilgrims making their way to the holy land. Pilgrimage provided the necessary impetus for the society to break out its narrow confines and visit

places associated

with

religion. The powerful

influences of a crusading religion slowly penetrated a foreign land

such as

Christianity in Europe and later in America, Islam and Hinduism in Asia. In the 18th century the middle income group began to travel from village to city, from city to city and from country to country. The development of good transport and accommodation further improved tourism. Moreover, the introduction of the railways in 1840 gave a tremendous boost to tourism. In 1860, the first passenger traffic between Liverpool to Manchester commenced. Organized rail travel came into being in 1841 when the Page 7


Baptist preachers of Derbyshire engaged a special train from Leicester to Loughborongh to take delegates to attend a meeting and bring them back. Later Thomas Cook took about 570 passengers by Midland countries Railway at a specially reduced rate in India, on April 16 th 1853, the first train service started form Bori Bunder in Bombay to Thana covering a distance of 33 Kms. Today Indian Railways have the third largest network in the world under a single management. The rail-road development was followed by the motor cars which reduced travel time. The boom in the tourist movement in Europe can be directly linked to the introduction of the private motor car approximately ten years before the World War I. The development of the motor car coach and improved road conditions led to a tremendous growth in travel. While road and rail transport were limited to domestic tourism, the introduction of steam ships, helped man to cross boundaries and promote intercontinental travel and promote international tourism. The adventurous seamen like Christopher Columbus discovered new lands. Travel to America, the “New World” was considered a land of opportunities and fortunes. The tourism which was prospering in leaps and bounds suffered a set back during the World War I. Tourism is global and national scale being possible only in times of peace and prosperity, suffered yet another set back during the World War II which brought in economic destruction and political instability. However, the period in between the two world war saw fair amount of travel and tourism. The development of Air transport after the second World War in 1950, gave a boost to tourism. The society experiencing rising standard of living began to reap the benefits of faster and economic travel through airways. Mass tourism thus emerged on a large scale. The Industrial revolution was responsible for changes in the economic as well as social systems prevailing at the time. A large number of factories came up, towns sprang up which is turn necessitated larger scale migrations from the country sides to the towns and cities.

During the Industrial Revolution, paid annual holidays were

awarded to the workers for work done for a year. Due to long working hours and poor living conditions, the need for relief was acute for the working class and an escape was the only answer to the problem. Those who could afford the escape Page 8


proceeded to various resorts nearby forest and relaxation. Gradually better working conditions, increase in material wealth

and

improvement

in

transport

and

communication during the second half of the 19th century, enabled industrial workers to avail of holidays in faraway places for rest, relaxation and pleasure. Though travel is as old as man himself and some record of ancient travel is available accurate analysis of the measurement of travel can be traced back to just 50 years back. In 1975 World Tourism Organization came into existence with its headquarter at Madrid in Spain. The W.T.O covers all sectors of tourism on world wide basis and provides statistics to improve and regulate tourism in the world. In 1976, there were nearly 220 million international tourist arrivals in the world. nearly 90% in the ten years preceding it.

This was an increase of

Economic fluctuations resulted in

a

temporary set back to the growth of tourism in early 70’s and lower purchasing power had brought this fall in tourist movements. But by 1992, travel and tourism became the world’s largest industry and by all indications, heritage and cultural tourism was found to be emerging as the fastest growing segment of the industry. It provided the world with the employment opportunity and people earned considerable foreign exchange for the nation concerned. Tourism, being a smoke less industry, had a great demand in most countries.

Increased

per capita

incomes coupled with increasing prosperity induced a higher purchasing power through the increase in the discretionary incomes.

1.2 Destination: Meaning, Destination Policy, Planning, Development and Management The term development incorporates economic growth and overall structural development of a society through the eradication of socio-economic and cultural drawback and adoption of sustainable practices. The term “Destination policy, planning and development” (DPPD) is essentially an intellectual process that uses information, judgment and monitoring to make macro-level decisions regarding the kind of destination that is desirable, the degree to which ongoing performance and

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related changes in the nature of visitation and the physical character of the destination are contributing to the achievement of the kind of destination that stakeholders want. On the other hand “Destination Management” is more a micro-level activity in which all the stakeholders carry out their individual and organizational responsibilities on a daily basis in efforts to realize the macro-level vision contained in policy, planning and development (Ritchie and Crouch, 2003). According to Goeldner et al. (2000), tourism policy is ‘A set of regulations, rules, guidelines, directives, and development/promotion objectives and strategies that provide a framework within which the collective and individual decisions directly affecting tourism development and the daily activities within a destination are taken’. Development policies for tourism should consider economic and socio-cultural benefits to the host community; farming, forestry, handicrafts, small scale industry and non-tourist services and these sectors should be given the given priority as tourist development (Krippendorf; 1999). Contemporary tourism policy focuses on competitiveness and sustainability, which are also the major parameters of tourism destination management (TDM). Successful TDM involves economic/business management skills balanced with environmental management capabilities. Economic/business skills are those related to effective resource development and deployment. Goeldner planning,

marketing

management,

human

of the destination, resources

et al. (2000) refer to: strategic

financial

management,

management,

information

operations

management

and

organization management. For destination purposes, strategic planning may be defined as the process whereby an organization analyses the strengths and weaknesses with respect to the supply development and demand development, decides the position it seeks to attain, and defines strategies and programs of activity to achieve the aims (Morrison, 1989;Goeldner et al., 2000). According to Walker, J.R., & Walker, J.T. ( 2011), ‘Planning involves selecting the various goals that an organization wants to achieve and the strategies ( actions) to be taken to ensure that those goals are accomplished (p.199)’. In organizations or in destinations, executives or planners determine where the organization is and where it wants to go. Goals are established for each of the key operating areas covering Page 10


organizational structures, tourism related legislation and regulations, education and training programs, availability of financial capital and mechanism to attract capital, marketing strategies and last but not the least travel facilitation of immigration, custom etc. Tourism planning begins with a strategic planning ( creating long term plan) such as a tourism master plan which is also based on an environmental scan that assesses socio-cultural, technological, economic, educational, political and legal factors. Following the Economic Survey of Sikkim (2006-07) it could be said that the people of Sikkim will achieve their full potential by selecting tourism as a tool for their growth and development strategy. The document also exhibited that the vision of Sikkim is to develop a vibrant economy that creates wealth and jobs and provides choices and opportunities for people to live, work and invest in Sikkim, and to recognize the values of its unique environment for present and future generations. So, the objective for tourism development in Sikkim will be recognized within five years as the top performing tourist economy of its type in India, as a leading destination for visitors, and as a leading region for North-East Indian business successes. Besides, five important goals brought to light in the policy document e.g. management goal, community goal, industry goal, consumer goal, marketing goal. Several documents for tourism published by the government incorporate the area to address a strategic business orientation. These are, rapidly growing tourism industry, strong and diverse nature-based product, proximity to main source markets, high standards of service and professionalism, sustainable and green marketing approach, herbs, medicinal plants and rare orchids, Buddhist culture and heritage.

1.3 Tourism in the World Scenario Tourism is emerging as a key driver of 21 st century economic and social evolution. It is the largest creator of jobs, wealth and investment in the world. Over 8% of all jobs worldwide was dependent on travel and tourism in 1999 and travel and tourism supported the creation of over 5.5.million jobs per year till 2010. Spending by international visitors amounted 8% of world exports in 1999 with further impact by Page 11


the export of Travel & Tourism related goods. In the year 2006, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasted that the travel & tourism would generate 234 million direct & indirect jobs world wide accounting for 8.7% of the global employment during the next ten years. According to them, India is going to be a tourism hot-spot from 2009 to 2018, having the highest 10-year growth potential. The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2007 ranked tourism in India sixth in terms of price competitiveness and 39th in terms of safety and security. Despite short- and medium-term setbacks, such as shortage of hotel rooms, tourism revenues are expected to increase by 42% from 2007 to 2017.

1.4 Tourism in India: An Overview Tourism is an important engine of growth for the economy. There has been a remarkable growth in the recent years in foreign tourist arrivals to India due to the various efforts made including promoting India through the Incredible India campaign in overseas market. It has increased by about 65% from level of 2.38 million in 2002 to 3.92 million in 2005. While the foreign exchange earnings grew by about 96% during the same period. In the year 2006, the tourist arrivals increased to 4.43 million registering an impressive increase of 14.2% over 2005. With the increase in the number of flights to & from India coupled with the escalating propensity among middle class travelers to travel abroad. Indian Outbound market is expected to get a quantum jump in 2006-2007. The figure may reach 8 million marks with visible trend. It is estimated that year on 15% growth will be maintained. Among short have destinations Indians visit Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal, Srilanka, Hong Kong, Maccau, Maldives, Uzbekistan, Kazaksthan etc. Among the long Haul destinations preferences are for USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Most of the holidaymakers use the packages tours offered by tour operators like SOTC, Raj Tours, Cox & Kings etc. Most national tourism organizations are confident that a vibrant market such as India will yield high growth, making its desirable target market for 2007-2008 or 2009. Page 12


Tourism in India is the largest service industry, with a contribution of 6.23% to the national GDP and 8.78% of the total employment in India. In 2010, total Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) in India were 5.78 million and India generated about 200 billion US dollars in 2008 and that is expected to increase to US$375.5 billion by 2018 at a 9.4% annual growth rate.[1] The majority of foreign tourists come from USA and UK. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are the top five states to receive inbound tourists. Domestic tourism in the same year was 740 million. Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra received the big share of these visitors. Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency to formulate national policies and programs for the development and promotion of tourism. In the process, the Ministry consults and collaborates with other stakeholders in the sector including various Central Ministries/agencies, the state governments and union territories and the representatives of the private sector. Concerted efforts are being made to promote new forms of tourism such as rural, cruise, medical and eco-tourism. The Ministry of Tourism also maintains the Incredible India campaign. India can boast of one of the most ancient civilization in the world. Its rich and diversified culture, tradition, heritage, cuisine and hospitality are the new source attraction features if tourism. The 7th 5 Year Plan, for the first time, moved towards the promotion of India as an ultimate holiday destination with its newly introduced beaches, hill stations, adventure sports and such other alternative tourism attractions as may be economically viable, environmentally sensitive, socially and culturally respectful.

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Figure 1.1 Development Initiative of Tourism in India Development Initiatives Objectives and Importance The Sargent Committee( 1945, Objectives submitted its report in 1946)

 To survey the potentials of developing tourist traffic  To create ways and means of developing places of tourist interest  To suggest what facilities will be required  To recommend what actions shall be taken  To deal with other aspects of tourist traffic Importance Tourism in India developed properly only after a Central Tourist Organization was set up as a result of the recommendation of the Sargent Committee. A separate tourist branch was created in 1949 but the whole time attention was confined only to the number of tourist traffic in the

country.

Sargent

Committee

also

recommended one Central Office and regional offices. It also recommended tourist publicity cell in Indian Embassies and Consulates all over the world.

Objectives Page 14


Development Initiatives Ad

hoc

Tourist

Objectives and Importance To look after a large number of travel subjects

Traffic which

Committee 1948

included

international

and

development external

of

tourist

both traffic,

legislative matters, Five Year Plans, travel agencies, hotel and rest houses, facilitation, tourist statistics and monthly reports. Importance It was entrusted with the job of suggesting ways and means of promoting tourist traffic to and in India A separate tourist traffic branch was set up under the Ministry of Transport in 1949. It also participated in conference of United Nations and its agencies. It established a coordination with the Ministry of Railways It established tourist bureaux in states and developed tourist centers. It arranged training programs for tour guides and escorts. Objectives and Importance Air Corporation Act (1953)

With the help of this Act the Government of India nationalized the Air Transport Companies with two national undertakings namely- Air India and Indian Airlines A separate tourism department was set up Objectives and Importance

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Development Initiatives

Objectives and Importance By the Presidential order dated 14 March 1967, the Department of Aviation and Tourism which

Formation of the Ministry of was under the Ministry of Transport and Civil Tourism ( 1958)

Aviation was formed into a separate Ministry designated as the Ministry of Tourism and Civil

Changes of name of the Ministry Aviation, with two constituent departments (1967)



Department of Tourism



Department of Civil Aviation

Objectives and Importance Following the report of the Ad hoc Committee on Tourism also known as the Jha Committee (1963) which recommended that the public sector should assume a more positive role in promoting tourism, the Government of India set up in 1965 in the Department of Tourism three separate corporations, viz. Hotel Corporation of India

Limited,

India

Tourist

Transport

India

Tourism

Setting up of Jha Committee

Undertakings

( 1963)

Corporation Limited. These three undertakings

Limited,

were set up under the provision of the Companies Act 1956. Objectives and Importance For better coordination the Government of India merged Hotel Corporation of India Ltd., India Tourism Corporation Ltd. and India Tourist Transport Undertakings Ltd into one composite undertaking called India Tourism Development

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Development Initiatives

Objectives and Importance Corporation. Objectives and Importance

Setting up of India Tourism

Only export industry status was accorded and

Development Corporation (1966)

not the status of an infrastructure industry as yet. Advocated private sector participation Development of selected tourist places Diversification from cultural related tourism to holiday and leisure tourism.

1st ever Tourism Policy of the

Development of adventure sports.

Union

Exploring new source markets

Government

of

India

came into being during 1982.

Restoration of national heritage projects. Launching of national image building.

During the 8th 5 Year Plan

Providing inexpensive accommodation in

( 1992-97), 15 states and 3 Union

different tourist places.

Territories had declared tourism

Improving service efficiency in public sector

as an industry and four states

corporations.

declared hotel as an industry.

Streamlining of facilitation procedures. Eight Plan Program The Central Sector Tourism Plan encompassed (i)

Department of Tourism

(ii)

India Tourism Development

Corporation (iii)

Man-Power and Institutional Development

The

National

Committee

on

Tourism was set up in July 1986

Objectives and Importance

by the Planning Commission to

The

Committee

recommended

that

the

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Development Initiatives prepare a perspective plan for

Objectives and Importance existing Department of Tourism be it replaced

tourism.

Committee,

by a National Tourism Board. It also

headed by Mohammad Yunus,

recommended a separate group of workforce

submitted its recommendation in

with all required skills and competencies. A

November 1987.

suggestion was made to look after the

This

functioning of the Board. The

Tourism

Finance

Corporation of India (TFCI) was Objectives and Importance set up in 1987 with a corpus fund Its purpose was to cater for the needs of funds of Rs. 100 crores.

for all tourism related projects in India, especially large projects.

Finally

Tourism

Finance Objectives and Importance

Corporation of India (TFCI) was Socio-economic development of areas. set up in 1989.

Increasing employment opportunities. Developing domestic tourism for the economy class tourists. Preserving national heritage and environment.

The National Action Plan for Development of international tourism Tourism ( 1992)

Diversification of tourism product Increase in India’s share in world tourism. Other provisions of Action Plan were Discontinuance of subsidies to star hotels. Increase in foreign investment Setting up of a convention city for developing convention tourism. Selection and development of Special Tourism Areas( STA)

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The most significant feature of the tourism industry is its capacity to generate large scale employment opportunities particularly in remote and backward areas. It offers enormous potential for economic utilization of the natural attractions like landscape, mountains, beaches, rivers etc., which would otherwise remain either idle or under utilized. It also applies to a multitude of man-made attractions like monuments, palaces, forts and unique rural and city environments. A desirable feature of tourism industry is that it employs a large number of women both educated and uneducated. It has a natural affinity to the nature of women, as hospitality is an industry in which women have been participating for centuries. In fact, women are in large numbers in hotels, airline services, travel agencies, handicrafts making, cultural activities and other tourism related activities.

Total employment both direct and indirect

employment inclusive was 20.0 million in 1995-96 (Ministry of Tourism, 1996). The labour – capital ratio per million rupees of investment at 1985-86 prices in the hotel and restaurant sector is 89 jobs as against 44.7 jobs in the case of agriculture and 12.6 jobs in the case of the manufacturing industries (Ministry of Tourism, 2010). So, considering all the segments of tourism industry the job ratio is 47.5 which is still higher than the manufacturing and agricultural sectors respectively. Under this scenario we made an attempt to analyze the growth and variation in the international tourist arrivals in India over the period 1980-81 to 2008-09. The whole period is again sub-divided into two sub-periods – Period I, ranging from 1980-81to 1990-91, is the period prior to the introduction of globalization in Indian economy and the second subperiod (1991-92 onwards) is the period of global economy in India. Here the null hypothesis was coefficient of variations (CVs) is identical over two sub-periods i.e. before and after the globalization. Table 1.1: Variation in the arrivals of tourists from 15 destinations

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DESTINATIONS U.K U.S.A CANADA FRANCE SRI LANKA GERMANY JAPAN MALAYSIA AUSTRALIA NEPAL SINGAPORE ITALY NETHERLAND SOUTH KOREA SPAIN

CV for subperiod I 26.35968 16.85246 18.25046 18.17561 5.638795 18.73812 29.22112 12.55341 16.89967 22.02095 18.84868 23.6091 28.34046 25.55946 29.47905

CV for sub-period II 38.19685 56.87918 51.99451 39.81235 34.42775 89.49201 29.80759 41.20553 52.95312 44.09015 32.68478 27.70551 25.30306 75.90588 44.84351

More specifically, the coefficient of variation over the years for the period II was considerably high compared to the period I irrespective of geographical location and socio-economic disparities. So, tourist arrivals during the period I was more consistent than period II. The arrivals of tourists from Europe and North American continents has been drastically loosing consistency with all type increases in variation though these are believed to have been the most important contributors in the international tourism receipts for India. This may be because of the poor infrastructural level, internal civil unrest in various parts of the country and consequent negative promotion, poor hygiene level and hospitality from within the country. Some important international reasons are world wide threat to terrorism, global economic recession and industrial downfall in developed countries, changes in

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civil aviation marketing, rising up of competitive South/ Asian destinations with distinct competitiveness and certain special types of tourism. Variation was comparatively less over two different periods for Japan because of MICE centric and organized leisure travel while other two countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal registered a significant variation as the reasons to visit India were different and related to VFR and common interest tourism. Another study of international tourist arrivals exhibited the same trend of consistency. If a tourist arrival is one of the criteria to explain the market trend the Asian and Australian tourism market are found to be more consistent than European market. But, European market ensures more tourist arrivals than Asia or Australia or North American continent. Following is the table showing growth rates of tourist arrivals in India.

Table 1. 2: Growth Rates of Tourist Arrival in India from top 15 destinations Destination U.K

Period I Period II Trend break * * 6.64 6.96 0.32

R2 0.97

D.W. statistic 1.75

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U.S.A Canada France Sri Lanka Germany Japan Malaysia Australia Nepal Singapore Italy Netherland South Korea Spain

(6.093) 6.40* (4.816) 6.58* (5.283) 4.36** (2.587) 3.38** (2.482) 5.52** (2.2390 4.72** (2.476) 4.42* (3.867) 5.55** (2.609) 6.21* (3.122) 4.45* (3.277) 4.13** (2.118) 3.93** (2.092) 9.34* (3.011) 7.09* (3.538)

(14.95) 8.21* (9.449) 7.75* (10.97) 4.53* (5.452) 3.77* (3.984) 4.84* (5.917) 5.59* (6.486) 5.60* (10.01) 6.59* (6.319) 6.83* (8.304) 5.64* (7.85) 3.48* (4.678) 6.43* (6.426) 13.18* (11.13) 6.37* (9.428)

(0.381) 1.81** (2.008) 1.17*** (1.703) 0.16 (0.123) 0.38 (0.432) -0.68 (-0.362) 0.87 (0.603) 1.17 (1.367) 1.03 (0.649) 0.62 (0.407) 1.18 (1.183) -0.64 (-0.431) 2.50*** (1.816) 3.83*** (1.83) -0.72 (-0.464)

0.97

1.82

0.96

1.62

0.88

1.71

0.92

1.53

0.56

2.13

0.90

1.77

0.96

1.56

0.91

2.11

0.92

2.17

0.94

1.82

0.70

2.12

0.93

1.99

0.94

2.08

0.81

1.62

*, ** and *** mean significant at 1%, 5% and 10 % respectively. The above table interprets that tourist arrivals from European countries were traditionally inconsistent with negative trend break for three countries and poor differences. It may be because of a negative image caused by poor quality infrastructure, poor hospitality and hygiene condition, rigid regulatory access to airports and other entrance areas, internal civil unrest etc. Some other important global factors were economic recession, threat to terrorism, emergence of other competitive Asian destination and underestimation of MICE tourism, special interest tourism, adventure tourism, shopping and recreation tourism and such other forms of

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tourism as may be found to be important for changing Unique Selling Proportion (USP). This market study exhibited an over all two types of market trends viz. consistent and inconsistent. European market was found to be inconsistent and dwindling. It is also noticeable that the number of arrivals from European countries was considerably high over all period of time. A concrete and concerted understanding of demand and supply will contribute to the overall development and marketing strategy of Tourism Destinations for European market in India. So, inconsistently high number of tourist arrivals from Europe has shown an oscillatory ever fluctuating market trends for which supply components of tourism can be unstable along with the cumulative effects of seasonal fluctuations. Again dependencies on Asian and Australian tourists have led to an Asia-Centric market. So present International Tourism Market for India is traditionally ‘European Tourism development directed’, but practically consistent only for non-European countries.

1.5 Tourism Development in Sikkim Sikkim is a small hilly state, bounded by vast stretches of Tibetan plateau in the North, the Chumbi Valley and the kingdom Bhutan in the East, the kingdom of Nepal in the west and Darjeeling (West Bengal) in the South. Its latitude is 27 030l north and the longitude is 88030l east. Sikkim is famous for scenic valleys, forest, snow clad mountains, magnificent Buddhist culture and heritage and peace-loving people. Though small, the environmental, social and cultural diversities are not so. Sikkim has been given many names. The Lepchas, original inhabitants of the land called it Nye-mae-el `paradise'. The Limbus named it Su Khim or `new house' while to the Bhutias it was Beymul Demazong `the hidden valley of rice'. Some scholars believe that the word Sikkim involves Nepalese dialect and it refers to a ‘now place’ or the term has been derived from a Sanskrit word which means a ‘mountain crest’. The people of Sikkim have ethnic diversity. The Bhutias came from Tibet, the Lepchas were the aboriginal community and the Nepalese came from Nepal. When Sikkim was an independent state it faced many invasion by its neighboring countries and the king took the help of the British India and, later, gifted some of its region Page 23


including Darjeeling to the British India. Now this 22nd Indian State (joined Indian Union in 1975) has Over 81% of the total geographical area under the administrative managerial control of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India. Over 45% of the total geographical area of the state is under tree cover and nearly 34% of the geographical area is set aside as protected area network in the form of national park and wildlife sanctuary.

1.5.1 Geographical Importance of Sikkim The second smallest State of the Indian Sub-Continent, Sikkim is situated in the mighty Eastern Himalayas spreads below the world’s third highest mountain Kanchenjunga worshipped by the Sikkimese as their protective deity. Sikkim is separated by the Sangalila range from the Nepal in the West, Chola range from Tibet in the North-East and Bhutan in the South-East.Rangit and Rangpo rivers with the Indian State of West Bengal in the South. On the west side is the massive 31 km. long Zemu glacier.

Figure 1.2: Four districts of Sikkim

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Source: http://www.sikkim.gov.in/ dated 31.7.2011. In term of longitude the state of Sikkim is bounded by 8800’58’’ East and 8855,25,, East of longitudes (east of Greenwich) while in its latitudinal extent the state lies between 2704,46,, North and 2807,48’’ North latitudes i.e. North of Equator. In its area, the state roughly stretches for about 112.70 kilometers in north south direction and for about 64 kilometers in its east-west direction. The total geographical area of the state as par Census of India is 7906 square kilometers.

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Physiography The “thimble sized” Sikkim is like an irregular rectangular in shape and rugged and mountainous state. Even the river valleys too limit themselves to the course through which they flow with a rare exception of tiny level patches found here and there. The streams and rivulets don’t flow through gorgeous channels, at places resembling to mini canyons. The territory falling within the state runs through the inner Greater Himalaya and the snow clad mountains appear to be projecting southward. The whole Sikkimese landscape provides a sweeping panorama of mountains, sky and emerald lakes cupped in the towering folds of rock- walls. During the organic, i.e. , ‘mountain building’ process as a result of compressional forces the stratified sediments of the Tethys Sea were folded. However, the least affected places by the bucking up forces were not drained out and thus created some exotic reservoirs of water. The Green Lake is one such instance. Sikkim is separated from the neighboring foreign lands, i.e. Bhutan, Tibet, and Nepal by way of wall like steep mountain-peaks which range in their elevation from 3600 meters to 9100 meters above mean sea level. It is only in the South that it has no such physiographic barriers which separate it from West Bengal. The Dongkya range is situated in the eastern side and forms a section of the Indo-Tibetan Border and passes southwards along the Indo-Bhutan frontier. On an average, its altitude covers around 5000 meters above mean sea level but its loftiest elevation is located in the northern part charecterised by a 7134 meters high peak, above the mean sea level. This wall like steep peak feature on the east is negotiable through the strategic passes of the Nathula (4750 meters or 15512 feet), Jelepla (4450 meters or 13254 feet) and Wangkurla (4320 meters or 12998 feet) passes. Other passes are Kinchinjahan (6900 meters or 22700 feet), the Siniolchu (6815 meters or 22620 feet) and the Chorniome (6800 meters) above the mean sea level, located on the Sikkimese Himalaya. In between the loftiest mountains on the eastern and westen sides of Sikkim, are located many deeps, narrow and canyon like gorgeous valleys with the valley of Teesta as the Principle valley of Sikkim. Following are the major peaks in or around Sikkim.

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Figure1.3: Major Peaks in or around Sikkim

Source: http://www.sikkim.gov.in/ dated 31.7.2011. Drainage The drainage pattern of Sikkim is dendritic in nature i.e. the criss-crossing streams of the region appear like a tree wherein the Teesta river in its lower course is the trunk, whereas, other streams, rivulets and torrents are the branches, sub-branches, twigs and leaves. Moreover, the drainage pattern of is consequent. In other words the rivers, streams and rivulets of Sikkim are post-Himalayan in origin. Rainfall An examination of available rainfall data shows that the mean annual rainfall is minimum at Thangu (82 mm.) and maximum at Gangtok(3494 mm.). An isohyetal analysis of these data reveals that there are two maximum rainfall areas (i) South-East quadrant, including Mangan, Singhik, Dikchu, Gangtok, Rongli etc. (ii) South - West corner including Hilley. In between these two regions, there is a low rainfall region e.g. Namchi. Rainfall in this area is about half of that in the former areas. There is an area in the North- West Sikkim, which gets very little rainfall (even less than 4.9 mm.). This area has mainly snow-covered mountains. Rainfall is heavy and well distributed during the months from May to early October. July is the wettest month in most of the places. The intensity of rainfall during Southwest monsoon season decreases from South to North, while the distribution of winter rainfall is in the opposite order. The highest annual rainfall for the individual stations may exceed

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5000 mm. and average number of rainy days (days with rain of 2.5 mm. or more) ranges from 100 at Thangu to 184 at Gangtok. The average rainfall varies between 125 cm and 500 cm. Gangtok receives about 360 cm. of annual rainfall while Namchi and Nayabazar receive 155 cm. and 140 cm. of annual rainfall. During the winter a sizeable part of the state receives copious snowfall. Climate and Temperature Valleys characterized by elevations of less than 600 meters above sea level experience moist tropical or humid tropical climate. But as one climbs up, the temperatures start falling and areas laying between 600 meters to 2000 meters above sea level enjoy cool temperate climatic conditions. Further up, it is cold temperate climatic conditions which prevail in area having elevation between 2000 meters to 3000 meters above mean sea level. The foothill zone adjacent to the West Bengal border experiences relatively high temperatures during summer. Elsewhere the summer are pleasant or cool or cold depending largely on altitude. At Nayabazar, situated at the most southern section of the state, the temperatures are as high as 40 0 C during Summer. But when one goes towards the southern part with rising relief, there is Namchi (35 0C during the summer). These are however, the maximum temperatures during the summer season and the minimum temperatures may fall by 50 C. As one goes high and high, the temperature falls and coldness increases till the snowline is reached which itself is determined by altitude and aspect. The area which have elevation of more than 5000 meters above sea level have perpetually snow-clad mountains and obviously enjoys Arctic type of climate. In January the temperatures in Sikkim range from 4 0 to 140 C (390 to 570 F); In May the temperatures range from 140 to 220 C (570 to 720 F). Though Sikkim is an integral part of India its climatic condition largely varies from the main land. This region can not be simply defined as “monsoonal” or Tropical Moist”. The Capital city, exotic Gangtok enjoys the summer temperature ranging from 23.30 C to 21.30 C respectively.

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Nearest Railway Station The closest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, 148 km from Gangtok.New Jalpaigiri and Siliguri are well connected with Kolkata, Guwahati and other major Indian Cities. But reservation service is available at special booking office in Gangtok. Nearest Airport and Helicopter Service The closest Indian airport is at a distance of 124 km from Gangtok at Bagdogra, in West Bengal. Bagdogra is well connected with Kolkata, New Delhi, Guwahati and other major Indian cities. Though Sikkim has no airport as such, yet its helicopter service are among the very few chopper services in India. The Bagdogra airport is connected to Gangtok by a helicopter service, which takes approximately 30 minutes to Gangtok. Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation operates this service daily. Road NH-31 is the life line of Sikkim. Gangtok is well connected by this NH31 and 114 km from Siliguri and takes 4hours by Bus and less then 4 hours by other vehicles. Gangtok is also connected by road with Darjeeling, Kalimpong and with Bhutan, Phuntsholing (6 hrs.). the longest north-south distance is about a hundred kilometers and the east-west breadth ranges between 60 and 70 kilometers. Its total area is 7299 square kilometers. Forestry and Wildlife Sector Aforestation is one of the major activities of the Department. Although a forestation was carred out since inception of the Department, it took pace with the announcement of the year 1995 as Harit Kranti Year by the Government. Since then the State Government has given top priority for creating more and more green cover in forests as well as in private wastelands. Since then, over 45000 hectare of degraded forest lands and about 15000 hectare of private land has been covered by tree, fodder, Page 29


fuelwood and ornamental plantations and by aided natural regeneration. Forest Protection: Of late, protection of forests has become the challenging task for the Department. With the explosion of population, the hunger for more and more timber and other forests produce has risen. Establishment of Wireless Communication Network: To protect forests from illegal felling and theft of forest produce, the department has established wireless communication network connecting the Blocks with the Ranges, Sub-Divisions, Divisions and Circles of both the Territorial and Wildlife Wings. Amendment Sikkim Forests, Water Courses, Road Reserve (Protection and Preservation) Act,1988. Kanchanjunga National Park: The initial area of this National Park was 850 sq. km. The park area was extended to 1784 sq. km. for conservation of high altitude flora and fauna o the state. Kanchanjunga Biosphere Reserve: It is with the core area of 1784 sq.km. and buffer zone of 835.92 sq.km. It was declared a biosphere reserve on 7th February 2000. State level Biosphere Reserve Committee and Biosphere Reserve Committee ( local committee) were constituted vide Notification No. 369/F, ENV& WL dated 16th December 2000.The Management Plan of the Biosphere Reserve for the year 2001-02 with the financial target of Rs. 101.72 lakh has been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India. Himalayan Zoological Park: It is located at Bulbuley near the Capital of Sikkim. The initial project costs were Rs.467.00 lakhs. The infrastructural development of the zoological park started in the 8th Five Year Plan. A revised form of the Project has been introduced in the year 200001 with the target of Rs.1060.00 lakhs.

1.5.2 Tourism Potentials of Sikkim Sikkim is politically divided into 4 Districts, North (Mangan) being away from large market of West Bengal but with immense tourism potentialities. The capital city of Gangtok enjoys the development of infrastructure, all modern civil amenities, access to health and education facilities and employment opportunities compared to all other 3 Districts, South (Namchi) West (Gyashing) and East (Gangtok). Moreover North Districts is unfavorable in terms of its topography because of extreme climate Page 30


and mountainous terrain, which range in height from 17,000ft to 28,000ft., unlike the other districts. The habitations are scattered, there are very few roads and the area is traversed by a single state highway, only 7.69% of Sikkim’s population live in this district, which account for 60% of land area, its population density is consequently extremely low at only 7 persons per sq. kms. compared to 187, 131,84 in East , South and West Districts respectively. Following is the figure showing the trends of tourism growth in terms of arrivals of tourists in Sikkim. Figure 1.4: Tourist Arrivals of Sikkim

Source: Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, Govt. of Sikkim

This diagram has clearly exhibited the growth trends from 1980 to 2011 with a dwindling trend for the last few years. This is also noteworthy to mention that the domestic tourist arrivals largely influence the overall market trend for tourism in Sikkim. As the tourist arrival is one of the certain economic variables, its measurement of growth rate is imperative in destination development literature. The most appropriate Log-Lin model was used to compute the growth rate of tourist arrivals. Here, the basic model is , Yt  Y0 (1  r )t , which on taking logarithm becomes Page 31


ln Yt  ln Y0  t ln(1  r ) . Taking , 1 = ln Y0 and  2 = ln(1  r ) , the model can be rewritten as ln Yt  1   2t Adding the disturbance term ut to the above model we have ln Yt  1   2t  ut 2 where, ui : N (0,  )

For domestic tourists arrivals the model is derived to be, ln Yt  9.59  0.11t And the same for international tourists arrivals is, ln Yt  7.37  .084t Keeping in view the above equations with positive growth rates, it may be forecasted that the arrivals of both the types of tourists will increase for the next years also. The forecasted arrivals of tourists are 6,15,383 and 24,101 for domestic and international tourists respectively. From the measure of ‘Coefficient of Variation’ (CV) it may be noted that the domestic tourist arrival is more fluctuating with its CV of 0.11 and the same for the foreign travellers is .084.

1.6 Tourism Products in Sikkim Gangtok Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim. Its name generally means “High Hill”. Situated at over 5000 feet above sea level, the city looks to be tucked away in a cloud sprawling over a hill. The third highest mountain peak, Kanchanjunga can be viewed as a spectacle of wonder’s manifold. Some of the important sites of Gangtok, like the Palace Chapel Tsuklakhang, the deer park, Institute of Tibetology and the Nymgyal chorten are located on the spine of the ridge. Tusklakhang Tusklakhang Royal Chapel is situated on a level ground of the Palace complex. On all corners of the Chapel are located at the formidable heads of snow lions-wood

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sculpture in relief. Magnificent wooden sculpture can also be found inside the Chapel. The sculpture is highlighting the massive Buddhist murals the adorn the walls. An eternal butte-lamp light the floor to ceiling alters, housing the deities and the sculptures. This place is also important as a venue of almost all festivals. To worship Kanchanjunga its indigenous warrior dance and Hat dance to celebrate the New Year are some of the festivals celebrated in this chapel. Previously the coronation of Chogyals, Oath taking by counselors and royal weddings were celebrated inside the chapel. The Research Institute or Namgyal Institute of Tibetology This institute is situated at the top of the hill and was established to promote research on Tibet and Mahayana Buddhism. This institute is known as the highest seat of learning among the Mahayana scholars. It was inaugurated by Pandit Nehru on October 1, 1958. The institute has its interiors lavishly decorated with great murals and ornate wood carvings. The cabinets of the halls contain a vast library of Tibetian deities. It contains a greatest collection of books on Mahayana Buddhism. The museum of the institute also contains two hundred icons, prized objects of traditional art, ritualistic chortens, brass bells, Dorjis (thunder bolts), Rosaries, thangkas ( hand printed scrolls woven or appliqué), are the main collection of the museum which have won international prestige. This institute is open from Monday to Saturday. Deer Park On the southern fringes of Tashiling, a valley drops a sheer thousand meter below and the Deer park of Gangtok. An image of the lord Buddha in his preaching posture can be found in the park. Originally the park is a sanctuary for deer. To walk around, to the smoothing ripples of the Rongnek, stream added with the charming site of spotted deer and long horned antilopes would really prove to be a prized walk. Orchid Sanctuary it is situated below the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. A large variety of orchids ranging from the commonest variety to rarest ones are found in the sanctuary. Page 33


Government Cottage Industries Institute This multi-craft institute is actually named after the last Chogyal Palden Thondup. The locally available handicrafts are sold in this institute. Beautiful hand woven woolen carpets with traditional Sikkimese motifs and and unique designs and combination are in great demand in Sikkim and abroad. The handsome woolen texture and durables, plush and are dyed not with synthetic dyes but traditional Sikkimese vegetable dyes. The design varies from sophisticated harmonious tones to the rioting of vermillion against intense blues. Another exclusive product of the institute is the Sikkimese table locally called Choktse. It is foldable and prepared in varying desins and dimensions. The hand-made paper is an another product demanded inside and outside the state. The traditional Sikkimese weaves and woolen blankets which can be designed into bags, shawls, jackets, opulent Sikkimese thankas ( traditional tapestry) leather works, dolls, Appliqué work, batiks, and exquisite selection of dolls, and variety of fashionable garments for modern people are the other displayed specialties of the institute. Gate Ways The Gateways of Gangtok city have been designed in a very attractive and artistic manner. There is a strange enchantment and charm about these gates. The gate that spans the entrance to Tashiling has a beauty of its own. The Sikkimese art and the minute skill depicted by the indigenous artists are visible on these structures. Khabelongstok At a distance of about 21km from Gangtok is located a historic Kabi or Khabelongstok the venue where blood brotherhood was sworn between Khye-Bumsa, the renowned ancestor of Namgyals, the former ruling house of Sikkim and Thekong Tek the then and last Lepcha Chief. A memorial stone adorns the place as a testimony to the historic and sacred agreement. Thousands of prayer flugs stand on the hill

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above and people from all corners of the state come to show their religious attitude and spiritual salvation. Flower Festival and in Gangtok and Namchi As Sikkim is known to have a wide range of flowers and plants, flower festivals are in vogue in Sikkim’s culture of its nature loving people. These frower festivals draw a great number of target clienteles. Sikkim is the home to the rare species of Rhododendrons, orchids, primulas, and host of other flowers, which is exhibited throughout the year at the annual flower festival that is being held in Gangtok, for tourists. Flower festival at Namchi needs special attention for the floricultural potentialities throught the State. Samdruptse The State Government has embarked on a very ambitious project of implementing the project of constructing a 108 feet statue of the Lord Guru Padmasambhava at Samdruptse in South Sikkim at a total cost of Rs. 6 crores. The project is being speedily implemented and the necessary infrastructure Such as road, water, site leveling etc. had completed. The Government of Sikkim has entrusted the religious aspects of the construction of the statue, the design and its dimensions to Ven. Dodrupchen Rimpoche. To facilitate tourists moving up from Namchi to Samdruptse and in order to give them a panoramic view of Namchi town, the Department has completed process of installing a ropeway from Namchi to Samdruptse. Adventure activities and Sikkim Sikkim is abounded with a variety of adventure activities. From a mere offering of leisure, pleasure and recreation, Sikkim is increasingly intended to attract alternative/ responsible tourists by targeting an environmentally conscious clienteles. In future, adventure activities and sports will gain a currency over conventional mass tourism, particularly among the foreign independent travelers. The river stretch of the river Teesta, lofty mountains and their peaks, lush green forest, idyllic snow-clad Page 35


mountains, forbidden exotic local people in inaccessible areas, multiethnic communities and above all the calm, coolness and complete quiet make the place ideal for explorers, drifters and adventurers. Its adventure activities include the following: River rafting/ running: Sikkim has a world famous river-stretch in the river Teesta that attracts thousands of river runners in the country and outside the world. River Rangeet also offers a white water action with every blend of the revealing new panoramas-gorges with vegetation covered vertical walls soaring from the swift waters, luxurious waterfalls and tranquil lakes.River Running Infommation Sikkim Tourism organizes package programs during October –November and can prepare special itineraries for interested groups. Prior permission is required for conducting

rafting.

Teesta

Experience:

Makha—Sirwani—Bordang—Rangpo

Rangeet Experience: Sikip—Jorethang—Majitar—Melli. Kayaking: Kayaking is done in relatively calm water. But in Sikkim, Kayaking is undertaken on the Teesta river for very experienced adventurers. Trekking: Sikkim is a place for novice as well as the most experienced trekkers. Trekkers get all types of assistance from Adventure Division of Sikkim Tourism in Gangtok or from any recognized Travel Agents. The following itineraries have been drown up with Yuksam as base. Trekkers hut along trek routes are at Pemayangtse, Khachopalri, Yuksam, Tsokha, Dzongri, Thangshing, Tashiding, Varsey, Yangang, Rabongla, Sang andSikip. Some of the important treks are:Rhododendron

Trek

(March-May):

Nayabazar—Hilley/Soreng—Versey—

Dentam—Pemayangtse. Kanchanjunga Trek ( Mid March-Mid June/ OctoberDecember):

Yuksam—Bakim—Tsokha—Dzongri—Thangshing/

Bikbari—

Zemathang/ Chaurigang—Goecha la/ Rathong Glacier and back. Coronation Trek (October—December):Rumtek—Sang—Yangang—Rabongla—Tashiding—Yuksam.

Trekking Information

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The treks will not be exceptionally difficult though one must be in good physical shape before taking the journey, since the altitude varies from 6000 ft. to around 14000 ft. Some trekking experience is required and a good guide familiar with the topography will be advisable. Most of the camps have primary Health Centers but it is advisable to have personal medical kits. Equipments include the light weight trekking shoes, two/ three pairs of woolen shirts, thick trousers, pullovers, wind proof jacket, cap, anti-sunburn cream, sleeping bags. Rack sacks, sleeping bags,. Tents, jackets can be hired from the Tourism Office at very nominal rate. Besides, all environmental rules and regulations, general rules need to be maintained.

Rumtek Monastery It is just 24 km. away on the lower valleys of south-west Gangtok. It is the headquarter of Kagyu (black hat) order of Tibetian Lamaistic Buddhism. It has the typical monastic paintings and intricate woodwork. After 1959 the older Sikkim perched on the spur of the hill has recently been renovated but without interfacing with the original traditional architecture. The monastery . Forestry and Wildlife Sikkim is situated in a geographically fragile and ecologically sensitive mountainous terrain and has over 81 per cent of the total geographical area of the State under the administrative control of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Department. The forest cover has increased from 37 per cent to about 45 per cent of the total geographical area of the State during the last two decades. Biodiversity: Totally five types of forests are found in Sikkim comprising the total vegetation and largely depends on the altitude of the area. They are: Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest, Sub-Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests, Temperate Broad Leaved Forests, Sub-Alpine Mixed Coniferous Forests and Alpine Scrubs. This small mountainous terrain is Page 37


abound by four hundred species of flowering plants, three hundred species of ferns and allies, eleven species of oaks, eight species of tree ferns, forty species of Primulas and twenty species of bamboo, five hundred fifty five species of Orchids, thirty six species of rhododendrons and nine species of conifers. A large number of medicinal herbs and shrubs are found in Sikkim. A large variety of plants and algae have very good quality food value for humans. A wide variety of faunal species include one hundred forty four species of mammals, six hundred species of birds, five hundred fifty species of butterflies and thirty three species of reptiles and sixteen species of frogs.

1.7 Conclusion This chapter has conceptualize tourism phenomenon of Sikkim with respect to a broader aspect. An understanding of the differences and similarities between marketing for goods/ services and destination has been sought along with the analysis of the marketing environment with its strategic orientation that is evident in Sikkim. The analysis and interpretation of this chapter essentially started with the arrival data of tourists as it implies the demand for a destination and pushes supply components therein. This arrival data, along with the sector specific importance, helped in understanding the trend of visit, growth rate pattern and peak and trough of the demand. Though Sikkim has a trend of the increasing domestic and international tourist arrivals, yet it is underperforming with limited routes, poor number of foreign tourists and poor per-capita spending of tourists. The growth percentages for domestic tourists were found to have double digits mostly after the year 2002. The forecasted growth rate for the arrivals of domestic and international tourists were 615383 and 24101 respectively in the year 2013 without considering the recently occurred earth quake in 18th September, 2011. The analysis of trend also highlighted a massive growth during 2007-08 and the number of persons visited was always higher than the

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year 2004-05. Earlier analysis is contradictory in that the peak season 2 for domestic tourism in Sikkim is found during the months of April to June afterwards the rainy season starts and the number of arrival decreases. Though the month of April is found to be ever increasing in terms of domestic tourist arrivals over the years, yet a peak and trough is noticeable through the fluctuation in domestic tourist arrivals during the months of May and June over the years. The dominant position of domestic tourist arrivals in Sikkim with this fluctuating mode may unstable supply side components of the destination and its management. This will have an adverse impact on foreign tourist arrivals also. The direction of tourism development with all supply components has to be determined as to how to manage all resources and its allocation. Types of tourism, types of tourists, spending pattern, future intention and retention study, alternative routes and channelization of tourist traffic are found to be the core areas of development and management of Sikkim as a destination.

2

It is noteworthy that the peak season and lean season separately for domestic and international tourists were found in this study.

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Tourism - A Conceptual Framework

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