Principal Secretary Rao underscored the importance of rigorous monitoring to curb fare overcharges, emphasizing the need to bolster the department’s grievance cell and introduce helpline numbers for swift issue resolution. He urged tour operators and travel agencies to strictly adhere to rate charts and avoid overpricing services.
Highlighting the significance of tourists engaging only with registered tour operators sanctioned by the government, Rao emphasized safety standards and quality service.
Principal Chief Engineer Neeraj Pradhan discussed plans for establishing a redressal cell at Nathula to facilitate tourist assistance and ongoing engineering projects aimed at enhancing tourist safety and experience.
Additional Secretary Bandana Chettri emphasized the use of the department’s official website for bookings to ensure authenticity and advised tourists to book tours through registered travel agencies listed on www.sikkimtourism.gov.in.
Deputy Director of the Permit Cell, Sonam Rinchen Bhutia, stressed the importance of obtaining permits through local travel agencies in advance to avoid inconvenience and ensuring tourists are acclimatized to higher altitudes before proceeding.
The meeting highlighted the necessity for all agencies to adhere strictly to rules and regulations to prevent tourist inconvenience, prioritizing tourist safety and fair-priced services to guarantee a seamless experience.
Key attendees included Principal Chief Engineer Neeraj Pradhan, Additional Secretary Bandana Chettri, Deputy Secretary Chunkula Bhutia, Deputy Director Permit Cell Sonam Rinchen Bhutia, and representatives from various tourism associations.