Sikkim set to woo Japanese tourists

"Sikkim is now looking to attract tourists from Japan," state tourism Secretary Ravindra Telang said here.

To boost pilgrimage tourism in Sikkim, the government is developing several projects scheduled to be completed by 2015, he said.

On rural tourism, the tourism secretary said the government will construct over 14,000 home stays in rural areas and encourage Sikkimese youths in the booming service sector industry.

The dream project 'Buddha Park' in South Sikkim's Rabong area which was originally scheduled for completion last year but got delayed due to the September 18 earthquake last year will be completed by November, officials said.

Two more pilgrimage projects - the Sleeping Buddha in North Sikkim and Srijunga Statue in Hee-Bermiok - will be completed by 2015, they said.

Over the past eight months, a large number of tourists from Nepal visited the Sideshwara Dhaam popularly known as 'Chaar Dhaam', Sai Mandir in Namchi and Daramdin, Samdruptse and two hot springs located in West and South Sikkim, the officials said.

As per official records, Sikkim, as compared to the entire northeast region, has recorded 30,000 foreign visitors, the highest number in the last two years.

Around 24,350 foreign tourists visited the state in the nine months since the earthquake, as per an official record.