Gangtok: Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling
today said that Sikkim has the potential to become a hub of
Buddhist circuit to enhance its profile as an international
tourism destination.
Sikkim can be developed as a hub connecting all major
Bhuddhist destinations in India and its neighbouring
countries, he said at the Regional Conference of the Tourism
Ministers of the East and North-Eastern states at Chintan
Bhawan here inaugurated by Union Tourism Minister Kumari
Selja.
The Rumtek Buddhist monastery in Sikkim, Bodh Gaya in
Bihar, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, Lumbini in Nepal, Taktsang
in Bhutan, Potala and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet Autonomous
Region (TAR) of China present themselves as the unique trail
of eco-tourism and pilgrimage tourism, he said.
The development of all these tourism destinations will
help regional integration and enhance cross-border religious
bonds among the people of these countries, besides presenting
a viable economic and commercial opportunities, Chamling said.
On Sikkim's own potential as a key tourist destination in
the country, the chief minister asked the Centre to provide
more funds and incentives for development of tourism
infrastructure and marketing.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, December 06, 2009, 23:08