The Sikkim government on Wednesday launched a portal allowing tourism establishments across the state to apply for registration and annual renewal, reducing paperwork and visits to government offices.According to a release, the new system aims to “simplify and streamline tourism-related services” and is part of the government’s efforts to provide “administration at the doorstep” through technology-enabled public services.The portal was launched in the presence of Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Tshering Thendup Bhutia, MLA-cum-Advisor Sudesh Kumar Subba, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism Raj Yadav, STDC Chairperson Lukendra Rasaily, Tourism Chairperson Sonam Norgay Lachungpa, department officials and tourism stakeholders.The first phase covers six categories — hotels and resorts, homestays, bed and breakfast establishments, service apartments, holiday homes and restaurants.Eligible establishments can submit applications for fresh registration or renewal, pay fees online and download certificates digitally, the statement said.The system has been integrated with the Sikkim Single Sign-On (SSO) platform, allowing applicants to access Tourism Department services through a single login.Applications can be submitted from home or through a cybercafe, while SMS alerts will keep applicants informed at different stages of processing, it said.“Following approval and online payment, the registration or renewal certificate can be downloaded directly to the applicant’s mobile device,” the department said.The minister said the initiative would make tourism-related government services more accessible and efficient, particularly for stakeholders spread across all six districts of the state.The system has been developed in collaboration with the Information and Technology Department.Registration services for travel agents, adventure tour operators, outdoor photographers and tourist guides, which are currently available offline, are expected to be brought online within the next two to three months, the department said.The tourism department has also discontinued physical file processing internally, with administrative work now being handled through the e-office system.Applicants can access the services through the Sikkim SSO portal or the Tourism Department’s online registration portal.
