The economic downturn has hit the rest of the world but not Sikkim. In the first five months of this year, this northeastern state of India has recorded 280,000 tourists, which is nearly 35% more than 2008. The number of domestic tourists rose to 273,000 between January and May 2009 – it was 200,000 in 2008. However, there has been a decrease in the number of foreign tourists from 8,690 last year, to 7,812.

The fall in the number of foreign tourists to Sikkim is mainly because of the global economic crisis. Tourists from all over India, the maximum being the southern and western states flock to Sikkim for enjoying its cool climate and natural scenery. In the post-monsoon months, it is expected that the number of visitors to this beautiful state will increase – the officials of the State Tourism Department have set a target of 500,000 tourists.

In order to promote tourism, the restriction on the entry of foreign visitors to the restricted areas of Sikkim has been made flexible. Foreigners can visit Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodong, Pemeyangtse and the Yuksom-Dzongri trekking route with permits. However, in order to visit these places, permissions are to be obtained from any one of the following offices:

- All Indian missions and posts abroad – F.F.R.O s Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and C.T.O. Madras

- Immigrations officers at the airports at Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and New Delhi

- Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok

- Home Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok

- Inspector General of Police, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok

- Assistant Director (Tourism),Government of Sikkim, Siliguri

- Deputy Director (Tourism), Government of Sikkim, New Delhi

- Resident Commissioner, Government of Sikkim, New Sikkim House, New Delhi

- Asst. Resident Commissioner, Government of Sikkim,

- Deputy Commissioner, Darjeeling, Kolkata

- Deputy Secretary, Home Department, Government of West Bengal, Kolkata

Traveling in Sikkim by either road or trekking is an experience in itself. The bus services of the Sikkim Nationlized Transport connects nearly every place in Sikkim. In addition, the Tourism Department of the Government of Sikkim organizes tours to Yumthang hot springs in North Sikkim and Tsomgo Lake.

The nearest airport of Sikkim is Bagdogra in Northern part of West Bengal. Regular Indian Airlines and other private services operate at Bagdogra from Kolkata, Guwahati and Delhi. New Jalpaiguri, which connects Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Chennai and all other major stations of India are the two nearest railway stations.

Sikkim is one of the smallest states covering merely 73,000 sq kms located in the Eastern Himalayas guarded by Mount Kanchendzonga. The state offers overwhelming experience of the mountain peaks, vibrant green valleys, fast flowing rivers and hills.