Inspiring Change, Empowering Lives

EMPOWERED BY 'SIKKIM INSPIRES', RURAL PRODUCERS, GUIDES, AND HOMESTAY OWNERS ARE TRANSFORMING TOURISM INTO A FORCE FOR SHARED PROSPERITY

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High in the Himalayas, Sikkim continues to evolve, not by losing its essence, but by deepening it. Here, progress moves at the pace of the mountains: deliberate, grounded, and inclusive. Villages once known for modest homestays and terraced farms are now at the heart of a statewide transformation in tourism, driven by the belief that growth must sustain both people and place.

This vision lies at the core of Sikkim INSPIRES (Integrated Service Provision and Innovation for Reviving Economies), a flagship initiative of the Government of Sikkim, supported by the World Bank. More than a development program, it is a framework for how tourism, livelihood, and environment can grow together. The initiative aims to create resilient and inclusive economic opportunities, especially for women and youth, by empowering local communities to lead the state's sustainable tourism future.

At the heart of this approach is a model the state calls “Whole-of-Community Tourism.” It's simple in spirit but transformative in practice: every village, monastery, and meadow becomes a partner in progress. Through specialised training, infrastructure development, and digital tools, local residents are being equipped to manage their own tourism enterprises, from homestays and farm stays to trekking routes and birding circuits.