Sikkim: Nathula Pass witnesses significant increase in tourists this season

Nathula Pass in Sikkim, located near the Indo-China border, has witnessed a significant increase in tourist influx over the past few days.

This surge can be attributed to the ongoing tourist season.

The parking area at Nathula Pass was observed to be heavily congested due to the increased traffic. Sikkim is witnessing an unprecedented surge in tourist footfall in 2024.

As per official data released by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Sikkim has welcomed a staggering 2,90,401 tourists in the first quarter of the year, up until March 31, 2024. Among these, two 2,56,537 were domestic tourists, while 30,864 hailed from foreign shores.

Also Read: Sikkim Tourism: Where To Stay in Sikkim This Summer

This surge in tourism signals a promising rebound for Sikkim’s hospitality sector, which was severely impacted by the devastating Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023. The calamity which wreaked havoc, particularly in the northern part of the state claimed the lives of 43 individuals with over 70 still reported missing. Subsequently, the tourist influx during the second tourist season witnessed a significant dip. However, with the current early trend indicating a robust recovery, Sikkim is poised to reclaim its status as a premier tourist destination.

Behind this resurgence lies a dedicated workforce of more than two lakh fifty thousand to three lakh individuals, directly or indirectly associated with the tourism industry. These include hoteliers, tour operators, taxi drivers, guides and numerous other stakeholders who form the backbone of Sikkim’s tourism sector.