CM launches EKAYA to showcase Sikkim through experience-based tourism

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><b>PAKYONG, (IPR):</b> Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay today launched the EKAYA Wellness Festival at AATTC, Bardang, an initiative aimed at promoting experience-based tourism in Sikkim.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">The ceremony was carried out in the presence of Minister for Education, Sports &amp; Youth Affairs, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Departments, Raju Basnett; MLA-cum-Advisor for Information Technology (IT), Land Revenue &amp; Disaster Management and Information &amp; Public Relations Departments, LB Das.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">Conceptualised by the Pakyong District Administration in partnership with Ebb and Flow and other stakeholders under the Sikkim INSPIRES programme, EKAYA seeks to connect tourism with local communities, livelihoods, culture, cuisine, wellness and nature.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister congratulated the organisers and stakeholders on the launch of EKAYA. He expressed his support for the development of experience-based tourism as a component of Sikkim’s tourism sector and encouraged greater participation of local communities, entrepreneurs, youth and other stakeholders.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">The inaugural programme featured the screening of an opening video and the release of the official festival poster.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">EKAYA seeks to expand tourism beyond conventional sightseeing by enabling visitors to participate in activities connected with local communities and their way of life. These include yoga and wellness sessions, guided nature walks, traditional food preparation, pottery, crafts, cultural activities and interactions with farmers, artisans, homestay owners and other community members.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">The festival provides participants with an opportunity to experience such activities through visits to villages, homestays, farms and craft spaces. The programme also enables participants to understand local practices, materials, livelihoods and cultural traditions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">The initiative aims to create opportunities for local youth, women, artisans, farmers, guides, homestay owners and entrepreneurs to develop and deliver tourism experiences. It also seeks to strengthen the link between tourism and local economic activity by encouraging visitors to access services and experiences provided by communities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">EKAYA is aligned with the objectives of Sikkim INSPIRES — Integrated Service Provision and Innovation for Reviving Economies, a Government of Sikkim initiative supported by the World Bank. The programme focuses on expanding economic opportunities and strengthening employment and entrepreneurship linkages for women and youth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">The festival brings together entrepreneurs, wellness practitioners, content creators and other participants to engage with Sikkim’s tourism offerings and explore opportunities for developing experience-based tourism.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Garamond&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">The broader objective of EKAYA is to develop an experience-based tourism ecosystem in Sikkim, with greater community participation and stronger linkages between tourism, local livelihoods and entrepreneurship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

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