By TravoUpdate
The Sikkim legislature approved the Sikkim Registration of Tourist Trade Bill, 2024, aimed at regulating the travel and tourism sector in the state.
Sikkim Legislature Passes Tourism Bill
The bill seeks to establish a legal framework to regulate tourism-related activities, ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to safety, quality, and ethical standards.
Purpose of the Bill
The bill is intended to improve the quality of services provided by tour operators, making Sikkim a top tourist destination in India.
Enhancing Service Quality
The legislation outlines key principles for responsible tourism, setting mandatory conduct guidelines for travelers, stakeholders, and visitors.
Responsible Tourism Principles
The bill includes provisions for penalties against those who violate its regulations, aiming to enforce compliance and uphold tourism standards.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The bill emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism practices, encouraging care for the environment and commitment to community development.
Focus on Sustainable Tourism
The legislation seeks to reorganize and empower Sikkim's Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation to better manage and regulate tourism activities.
Department of Tourism Empowered
The Sikkim legislature also passed the Sikkim Court Fees and Stamps on Documents (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to implement e-stamping, modernizing the payment of stamp duty.
E-Stamping Bill Passed
The House approved the Sikkim Online Gambling (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2024, to regulate online gambling and impose fines on unregistered operators.
Online Gambling Regulation
The four-day budget session included obituaries for former MLAs and MPs, a Motion of Thanks to the Governor, and discussions on the state budget for 2024–25, with a vote scheduled for August 9.
Budget Session Highlights