Gangtok, Aug 23: Sikkim Tourism Wins Excellence Award for Promoting Rural and Sustainable Tourism at the Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) Mumbai 2026, adding another recognition to the state’s efforts to promote responsible tourism, community participation and environmentally sustainable travel.
According to a press release issued by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, on August 22, the award recognises the state’s continued focus on developing tourism in a manner that supports local communities, sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation.
Sikkim participated as a Partner State at TTF Mumbai under Sikkim INSPIRES, held from August 20 to 22. The three-day tourism fair provided the state with a national platform to showcase its destinations, cultural experiences, rural tourism initiatives, nature-based attractions, accommodation options and other tourism products to visitors and members of the travel industry.
Strong Response to Sikkim Pavilion
The Tourism Department said the Sikkim pavilion recorded strong visitor footfall and engagement during the event, with particularly encouraging participation on the second day.
Travel professionals, tour operators, tourism enthusiasts and other visitors interacted with Sikkim’s participating stakeholders to learn about destinations, accommodation facilities, tour packages and travel experiences available across the Himalayan state.
The department said feedback from participating stakeholders indicated strong interest from the Mumbai market, with visitors and travel representatives expressing interest in travelling to Sikkim. Several tour packages were also reportedly booked through interactions held during the fair.
The response is being seen as an encouraging indication of Sikkim’s potential to attract more travellers from Mumbai, Maharashtra and other parts of the country.
Over 15 Tourism Stakeholders Participate
The Sikkim Tourism delegation was led by Dipti Rai, Assistant Director, District Tourism Office, Namchi, accompanied by Ruth Rai, Tourist Officer, DTO Namchi.
More than 15 tourism stakeholders also participated in the pavilion, including representatives of tourism stakeholder associations, Village Tourism Development Committee members from Rabong and Pakyong, representatives from Buddha Park at Ravangla, hotel owners and travel agencies.
Their participation allowed local tourism businesses and organisations to directly engage with travel industry representatives and prospective visitors.
The fair also provided stakeholders with opportunities to establish new business contacts, strengthen existing trade relationships and explore collaborations with travel agencies, tour operators and tourism partners from Maharashtra and other states.
Focus on Rural and Sustainable Tourism
The award puts renewed focus on Sikkim’s strategy of promoting tourism beyond conventional sightseeing by highlighting rural destinations, community participation, local experiences and nature-based tourism.
For a state where fragile mountain ecosystems and local communities are closely connected with the tourism economy, sustainable tourism has increasingly become an important component of destination management.
The Tourism Department said the Award of Excellence reinforces Sikkim’s position as a destination seeking to balance tourism growth with environmental conservation, community participation and sustainable livelihoods.
The recognition also comes as Sikkim works to expand its visibility in major domestic tourism markets and position itself as a destination for responsible, experiential and rural tourism.
Stakeholders Thank Sikkim Government
Participating stakeholders expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) and Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Tshering T. Bhutia for providing them with an opportunity to showcase Sikkim at a major national tourism forum.
They said participation in events such as TTF helps local stakeholders promote their tourism products, develop new business opportunities, strengthen market connections and introduce Sikkim’s diverse travel experiences to a wider audience.
The three-day participation concluded on August 22 with the department reporting strong visitor engagement, business enquiries, tour bookings and increased networking opportunities alongside the Award of Excellence.
The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department views the participation as another step towards strengthening Sikkim’s presence in Maharashtra and the wider domestic tourism market.
The award and event details in this report are based on the August 22 press release issued by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim.
