Sikkim has won the coveted Gold Category for Best Emerging Eco-Tourism Destination at the Outlook Traveler Awards & Carnival 2024. The event, held on November 30, 2024, in New Delhi, saw participation from the crème of the travel industry, influencers, tourism experts, and state representatives celebrating excellence in innovation, sustainability, and outstanding service in the tourism sector.
This award recognizes Sikkim’s commitment to sustainable tourism and its large contributions to eco-tourism. With its stunning landscapes, strong biodiversity, and rich culture, Sikkim has become a model for India in responsible tourism practices. From the very beginning, it has been committed to environmental preservation, ensuring that tourism development should not compromise its natural resources and ecological balance.
Over the years, Sikkim has been launching numerous initiatives that are friendly to the environment in order to increase the level of tourism without hurting the environment. Such initiatives have been organic farming, installation of waste management systems, encouragement of renewable energy sources. Notably, the state also adopts community-based tourism models and empowers local communities to take part in any tourist-related activities. This makes economic opportunities and the upholding of the local culture as well as their tradition.
Outlook Traveler Awards 2024 aim to celebrate the destinations which raise the bar in tourism by adding sustainability to its core functions. Sikkim has done this very well; it got the Best Emerging Eco-Tourism Destination and has marked its success of balancing tourist growth with preservation.
Speaking on the achievement, tourism experts appreciated Sikkim for innovative policies and grassroots initiatives promoting conservation that brings travelers unique experiences. From the serene monasteries to the green tea gardens, the majesty of Kanchenjunga, Sikkim provides a combination of nature and culture treasures that have been attracting the conscious eco-friendly traveler across the globe.
This accolade positions Sikkim as a trailblazer in the eco-tourism space, inspiring other regions to adopt sustainable tourism models. With increasing global demand for responsible travel experiences, Sikkim’s approach is a shining example of how tourism can be a driver of economic development and protect the environment at the same time.
By winning this award, Sikkim reaffirms its leadership status in the sphere of eco-tourism, opening ways for a future that’s sustainable in the tourism industry.
