Showcasing New Tourism Destination by Using Gis: a Study of Sikkim

Purpose: The main purpose of this research is to find out new tourist destinations and suggest developmental strategies through scientific ways for solving overtourism-related problems.   Theoretical framework: In this research paper, the researchers emphasized finding new tourist spots and analyzing their potential both in touristic and infrastructural value was assessed by the researcher with the help of a most modern tool like Geographic Information System. The researchers have explained a scientific process of exploring new tourist destinations or tourist spots by using GIS and have shown how to develop proper infrastructure around those spots.   Design/methodology/approach: A “Multicriteria Spatial Decision Support System modeling” was used to find out and validate the existing and new tourist spots. In the pair-wise comparison method, a criterion versus criteria was created to compare each pair of criteria and assign relative ratings using the scale of pair-wise comparison. In this research, the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method is used because it gives the “most acceptable results for majority of single-dimensional problems”. The researcher has created this map to support the ‘Destination Fetching Model’, and it can also be used for promoting sustainable tourism in the area. If the entire land cover is visible to the planners with an aerial view, they can plan for tourism infrastructure and superstructures from anywhere. GIS-based layer data has created an "all covered" aerial map with the help of advanced GIS technology, which not helped the planners to understand the current land condition, but also showed the open area which can be utilized for new tourism set-up. Manmade and natural resources are also classified through this LULC model.   Findings: These new tourist spots will help planners and stakeholders to distribute excessive crowds to comparatively new destinations. It is observed that most of the Indian tourism destinations suffer from “over Tourism” in peak season. This research will help spread the flow of tourists to the nearest newly added destinations.   Research, Practical & Social implications: Scientific tourism planning through GIS will also help tourism service providers and planners to add infrastructure to the new destinations, and would also help local people to generate income through tourism. Originality/value: This research will solve the “over tourism” problem of any destination or state, and help generate more visitor’s day at the destination which is proportionate to extra revenue generation for the local, regional and national tourism stakeholders