Sikkim: PTDA equips locals with skills to deal with tourists amid COVID pandemic

GANGTOK:

Pelling Tourism Development Association (PTDA) on Tuesday conducted two training sessions for hoteliers, travel agents and tourist vehicle drivers in West Sikkim.

Training on safety and precautions to be adopted while operating in the tourism business amidst the pandemic was imparted.

PTDA President Narayan Khatiwada on Monday said Pelling region was open for tourists from October 10 and since then, tourists have started pouring in.

After the reopening of the industry on October 10, Sikkim welcomed its first five tourists.

Pelling is one among the famous tourist destinations in the West district of Sikkim, where one can get a close view of the majestic sacred mountain, the Khangchendzonga and its range.

The Buddhist site of Chenregiz Singkham Riwo Potola is another much-visited site in the town of Pelling. It has the world’s tallest statue of Chenrezig at 135 feet, which also hosts a skywalk. Asia’s second-largest suspension bridge Singsore bridge near Uttaray is also open for the tourists.

The Tourism Department has appealed to local bodies and Panchayats not to restrict tourists in their areas, keeping in mind the urgent need to sustain livelihoods by following safety measures.

The state government has now made Covid negative test results optional and not mandatory for tourists.