Gangtok, February 23: The Tourism & Civil Aviation Department (T&CAD) on Monday organised an Adventure Tourism Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting at its Conference Hall in Gangtok to deliberate on training and capacity-building initiatives under the World Bank-funded Sikkim INSPIRES programme.
 |
| Officials and stakeholders pose for a group photograph during the Adventure Tourism Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting organised by the Tourism & Civil Aviation Department in Gangtok. (Image: DIO Gangtok) |
The meeting was attended by Chairman of Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC), Lukendra Rasaily; Chairperson, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Norgay Lachungpa; and Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, C.S. Rao, along with senior officials and representatives of tourism bodies.
Delivering the keynote address, Additional Chief Secretary C.S. Rao reiterated the State’s commitment to maintaining its leadership in adventure tourism. He highlighted that the Sikkim INSPIRES programme prioritises infrastructure upgrades and skill development, particularly for rural women and youth.
He encouraged stakeholders to actively utilise facilities at the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Ecotourism (IHCAE) and called for experienced professionals to mentor trainees. He also urged stakeholders to submit formal proposals for support and stressed the importance of continuous skill upgradation and high-quality training standards.
Chairman STDC Lukendra Rasaily emphasised identifying priority skill areas and bridging training gaps in line with industry needs. Noting the rising demand for ecotourism and health-centric tourism, he advocated focused initiatives, improved marketing strategies, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
He suggested conducting marketing surveys, organising workshops and conferences, introducing incentives for top performers, and implementing policies to safeguard trainees and retain skilled professionals in the sector.
Joint Director (Adventure), T&CAD and Principal of IHCAE, Kazi Sherpa, presented an overview of Sikkim INSPIRES training initiatives for 2024–2026 and outlined 112 planned activities for 2024–2029. He highlighted the shortage of trained manpower and challenges in retaining trainees, underscoring the importance of feedback-driven training models.
ALSO READ: State Credit Seminar 2026–27 Held in Gangtok; NABARD Releases Rs 1,701.42 Cr Credit Plan for Sikkim
In the second half of the session, stakeholders participated in group discussions on training and capacity building, marketing and branding, and institutional and policy support.
Key recommendations included developing religious tourism initiatives such as a Buddhist circuit, conducting regular consultation meetings, and ensuring wider district-level representation to strengthen stakeholder engagement.
The welcome address was delivered by Additional Director Tenzing Gelay, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Assistant Director Pempa Doma. The meeting saw participation from senior officials, tour operators, trekking and bird-watching guides, tourism associations, and representatives from the Rural Development and Commerce & Industries Departments.
