Sikkim Hotel and Restaurant Association [SHRA] has appealed the ruling party to exempt hotels, travel agencies and tourist vehicles from its 48 hours long Sikkim Bandh that has been called on 4th and 5th April.

However it mentions that the association has shown its full support to the initiative of the ruling party for the local cause related to employment and sidelining and negligence of the local people by outer companies in the state.

Addressing a press conference, president SHRA, Bhanu Pratap Rasaily, stated that April is the starting of tourists season and the strike in the first week of the season would divert the tourist flow to other tourist destinations and may tarnish the image of the state and there will be a long term effect on the state tourism.

He further added that tourism also being the priority sector for the state government so we appeal the ruling party to exempt the tourism from this bandh. The association further added that they will show their support if there is in any other way to confront the private companies. Mr Rasaily stated that the people know Sikkim as a peaceful and friendly state and if the tourists go back with bad experience from the state then it would take another 15 years to build the image of the state.

He shared that maximum of the tourist move with their pre-scheduled programmes and due to bandh if the tourists, who were already in the state, need to leave the state without enjoying the state fully then it, will give bad impression of the state.

Mr Pratap further added that they do not have any problem to shut down in support of the bandh for two days as it is a peaceful strike but the people from outside will not understand and may hamper and tarnish the image of the state. It has further been mentioned that this bandh will not only affect the hoteliers but all the stakeholders from the grassroots level.

SHRA general secretary, Vivek Pradhan, mentioned that the hoteliers always look forward that the local people should come forward as it would be easy for the hotels to have local staffs but the people have not been coming seriously. Lastly he added that they are ready to help them in skill development and to encourage them to be entrepreneurs but have not seen much interest and participation from the local people.

Courtesy: Sikkim Mail

 

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