Sikkim records 4.57 lakh domestic and over 17,000 foreign tourists in first two months of 2025

Tourism in Sikkim has made a strong start in 2025. According to official figures from the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, a total of 4,57,550 domestic tourists visited the state in the first three months of this year — January, February, and March.

In detail, 1,92,973 domestic tourists came in January 2025, followed by 87,377 in February and 1,77,200 in March. These numbers show a strong and steady flow of visitors in the early part of the year. Officials and tourism operators believe this could be a sign of a much better year ahead for Sikkim’s travel sector.

Foreign tourist arrivals have also shown improvement. In the first two months of 2025, the state welcomed a total of 17,283 foreign tourists — 7,279 in January and 10,004 in February. These figures mark a notable rise in comparison to previous years, especially the difficult COVID-affected period.

If the current pace continues, it is expected that Sikkim may receive close to 16 lakh domestic tourists and over 1 lakh foreign tourists by the end of the year. This would bring a huge boost to the state’s economy and support thousands of families who depend on tourism for their livelihood.

Sikkim’s tourism had suffered badly during 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many hotels, travel companies and local businesses faced losses. But now, with the rise in tourist numbers, people are hopeful again. Travel agents, hotel owners, shopkeepers, drivers and guides have all started seeing better income in the first quarter of this year.

Improved road and air connectivity, good weather, peaceful environment and the government’s promotion of tourism have all helped bring more visitors to the state. Sikkim’s famous destinations like Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass, Ravangla and Pelling continue to attract both domestic and international tourists.

Markets in Gangtok, Namchi, and other towns are reporting higher footfall. Hotels are also seeing better bookings, especially ahead of the summer vacation season. The local taxi operators and tour guides are already getting more inquiries for April and May.

if this trend continues, the total number of domestic tourists in Sikkim in 2025 could cross 16 lakh, while foreign tourists may cross 1 lakh by the end of the year. These numbers would make 2025 one of the best years for the tourism sector after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some more figures help to show this positive trend clearly. In March 2023, Sikkim had 93,360 domestic tourists, while in March 2025, the number has gone up to 1,77,200 — almost double. Similarly, in February 2023, the state had 153,529 domestic tourists, while in February 2025, it received 87,377 — which is slightly lower but still strong considering weather and travel factors.