Sikkim has been declared best state for implementing Rural Tourism Projects. Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor gave away the National Tourism Award 2012-13 at a function in New Delhi yesterday. Elaborating the recently launched tourism project worth 140 crore rupees, Sikkim Tourism Minister said the state has set a target to attract 1.5 lakh tourists to its rural tourist destinations in next five years.Our correspondent reports that the state is now focusing more on development of tourism related infrastructure as an effort to provide world class facilitation centres to tourists visiting sikkim. More than about 20 such facilitation centres to be established across state in upcoming two years will not only provide required services to these tourists but also create job opportunities for local youths. The government intends to make sikkim , a popular destination for rural tourism at present is busy in conducting series of capacity building trainings for proper handling of its already established 500 home stay units in rural areas aimed at showcasing rich culture and scenic splendour of state natural beauty. Ajit Singh, Air News, Gangtok.