Tourism takes a hit..75 per cent downfall in flow of domestic tourists

SNS, Darjeeling, 19 November 2013: The local economy of Darjeeling relying on tourism this season has faced a worst breakdown as well in their income in the repercussion of the recent statehood agitation.

Though the leaders spearheading the movement took a U-turn towards peace and said would never resort to bandhs again, the tour operators remarked, “the domestic tourists also seems to have taken a U-turn from Darjeeling to other tourist destinations of the country.”

According to the tour operators, compared to the previous year during this time (October to November), there has been 75 per cent downfall in the flow of domestic tourists.

“However, the number of European tourists visiting the place is fairly good,” said Mr Pradip Lama, the secretary to the association of 19 tour operators, Darjeeling Association of Travel Agents (DATA).

Notably, for past few days, the weather here has been quite favourable. The view of Kanchengjunga as compared to the normal days at the backdrop of the hills, has indeed grabbed the attention of many. Yet, a vacant-like feeling is palpable at Chowrasta.

It can be mentioned here that domestic tourists mainly Bengalis, Gujratis and others add to the main income for the locals especially those relying and dealing with local made shawls, sweaters, handicrafts and many more.

One of the local vendors, a hawker, at Mallroad said: “During this time of the year we used to ready our stalls at six in the morning but since there are no tourists we open our stalls at 12 or sometimes from 1 in the afternoon,” adding that, “Many of us do not even open our stalls.”

Mr Lama further said: “It maybe that few hotels have been getting some bookings but speaking on a general note there have been only 25 per cent bookings. This time of the season in Darjeeling used to be filled with bookings from domestic tourists visiting here for Christmas and New Year holidays but this time most of them have chosen South India.”