Sikkim witnesses over 17 lakh tourist arrivals in 2025
Gangtok (PTI): Sikkim recorded more than 17 lakh tourist arrivals in 2025, up by over 82,000 in the previous year, but the number of foreign visitors declined sharply, an official said on Wednesday.
Compared to 2024, when the state had witnessed 15,40,421 domestic tourist footfalls, the number increased to 16,35,650 in the last year.
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The count of foreign visitors declined to 71,710 in 2025 from 84,710 in the previous year.
Tourism Department Additional Chief Secretary CS Rao said efforts are underway to attract more foreign visitors and strengthen sustainable and responsible tourism practices in the state.
Explaining the reason behind the drop in foreign tourist arrivals, he said extensive road damage in October, particularly along NH-10, had adversely affected the travel plans of visitors.
He further stated that if road conditions across the state, including NH-10, continue to improve and remain stable, Sikkim can expect nearly 20 lakh tourist arrivals in the current year.
Rao also attributed the growth in domestic tourist count to the growing preference of visitors for the Himalayan state.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
