Research Paper Volume 2 Issue 11 July 2015 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 Present Pattern Of Tourism Paper ID IJIFR/ V2/ E11/ 026 Page No. 4128-4137 Subject Area Geography Key Words Catchment Area, Tourist, Team Pattern, Visit Purpose, Tour Planning Received On 10-07-2015 Accepted On 20-07-2015 Published On 22-07-2015 Swarup Saha 1 Dr. Gopal Chandra Debnath 2 Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan West Bengal-India Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan West Bengal-India Abstract Sikkim is one of the best potential sites for the development of tourism. The economic development of Sikkim largely depends on the tourism industry. The attraction of Sikkim has been increased with the passage of time. Hence in this article an attempt has been made to examine the perceptions of the tourist regarding the present status of tourism in the state. Sikkim has been undertaken for in depth research as it is one of the best Potential sites for the Development of Tourism, and due to development of tourism, movement of people and infrastructure will be more frequent which will help to generate income and capital, resulting local area development. 1. Introduction The most backward regions often offer the most exotic resource-base for the promotion of tourism. This may be applicable for the states located in the Himalaya. For such area, tourism is one of the ways to enhance economic development. The mountain environment of the state is ideally suited for outdoor recreation. Study Area: Sikkim is a very small hilly state in the Eastern Himalaya. This tiny Himalayan state is widely acclaimed for its spectacular terrain, snowy mountains, luxuriant forests with www.ijifr.com Copyright IJIFR 2015 4128
exotic flora and fauna, sacred lakes, pristine glaciers, cascading waterfalls, holy cave, medicinal hot springs, roaring rivers and gentle streams. Figure 1(a) - Map- Location of Sikkim in India 2. Objectives of the Study Figure 1(b) Map- Administrative Map of Sikkim To identify the catchment area of the tourist. To study team pattern of the tourist. To examine purpose of their visit to Sikkim. To observe tour planning of the tourist regarding their length of studying at Sikkim. To study the number of visit usually made by the tourist place. To scrutinize major problem faced by the tourist. 3. Data Base And Methodology This study is based on Primary data. The data have been generated through a field survey by Personal interviews. In order to judge the perception of the tourist, sets of data were generated through the field study by interviewing. Sample sizes of 200 tourists were interviewed for the study. Several data sets have been generated by interviewing tourist from wide range of angles. Field survey data compilation and evaluation are done for analyzing and representation purpose. 4. Catchment Range of Tourists In order to demarcate the catchment area of the tourists to Sikkim following seven zones were considered From West Bengal. From North-Eastern States. From Northern States. From Western States. 4129
From Southern States. From Central States. From abroad. The diagram shows that the tourists from West Bengal (60%) form the major part of the Tourism.The number of tourists coming from outside of West Bengal are much less i.e. 33%. About 7% tourists coming from abroad. It shows that Sikkim as a place of tourism has an enormous attraction among the people of West Bengal Figure 2: Catchment Range Of Tourist Table 1: Tourist coming from different sectors 4130
Figure 3: Team Pattern of Tourists Table 2: Percentage of Team pattern of the tourists 4131
Figure 4: Purpose of Visiting Sikkim Table 2: Reasons of visitors to visit Sikkim 4132
Figure 5: Length of staying at Sikkim Table 3: Tour planning for length of staying of visitors to stay in Sikkim 4133
Figure 6: Number of Visits at Sikkim Table 4: Number of Visits made by the tourist so far at Sikkim 4134
Figure 7: Problem of Visits at Sikkim Table 5 : Major problems faced by tourists so far at Sikkim 4135
Changu Lake Lat.- 27 22'34"N Long.- 88 45'48"E Kupup Lat.- 27 20'30"N Long.- 88 50'28"E M.G Marg Lat.- 27 19'44"N Long.- 88 36'44"E Gurudongmar Lake Lat.- 28 01'50"N Long.- 88 42'36"E Figure 6(a, b, c, d): Author visiting & taking interview 5. Summary and Conclusion This study identifies that People coming to Sikkim from West Bengal, forms the major portion of tourists (over 60%). Proportion of tourists coming from Abroad and other states of India apart from West Bengal is low. Large proportions of tourists (79%) come here with the members of their families. Tour appears to be the main purpose of the tourists and 89% come here for tour purpose. Since tourism is the main aspect, a sizable proportion (Above 20%) tends to visit Sikkim number of times. A large proportion of the tourists (90%) come to Sikkim for staying here more than two days and very few of them (10%) choose to spend one day or overnight here. The study about the problems faced by the tourists to Sikkim confirms that, most of the tourists (75%) said there is no problems. However some of the tourists (20%) Accommodation and Transport problem of this place. However, there is already a very good position of Sikkim in tourism development; some sorts of infrastructural development will further widen the scope of tourism in this state. 4136
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