Winter joy as tourists set to flock to Darjeeling

Amitava Banerjee, THT, DARJEELING: December is going to save the tourism industry in the Hills after political unrest dealt a hammer blow to the tourism industry in the Hills, the economic backbone of Darjeeling.With the summer tourist season having failed to live up to expectations, the travel industry had banked their hopes on the Puja season.

However, the hopes faded after Gorkha Janmukti Morcha launched an agitation demanding Gorkhaland after the UPA’s decision to carve out Telangana.

The agitation included a 44-day bandh. With the GJM and state government locking horns, the prolonged bandh and sweeping arrested spooked tourists. Many countries including Britain had then issued travel advisories against visiting this region. “We have had a decline of around 35% in the number of tourists this Puja season as compared to last year’s,” said Suresh Periwal, director, Clubside Tours, Darjeeling.

Along with Darjeeling even Sikkim suffered. “Compared to the last three years, this year has been very bad,” added Barap Namgyal, general secretary of the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TASS.). However, all this is set to change in the month of December. “This month could emerge as a turning point. From December 10 till January 12 we have good bookings. Most of our properties including home stays have 72 to 75% bookings,” said Raj Basu, chairman, Cross Border Committee Adventure Tour Operators Association of India.

However, this comes with a rider. “For December to emerge as a turning point we have to provide good service. Rates have to be kept reasonable. Taxis and Hotels should not overcharge. The district administration should be on their toes. They should kee p a strict tab,” added Basu. “Inquiries have started coming in and we are very optimistic that things will look up in December and continue throughout January. In December, we have the Sikkim Winter Carnival. Along with this Christmas, New Year festivities would definitely encourage tourists to visit Sikkim,” added Namgyal.

Every year around 25,000 foreign tourists along with around 3 lakh domestic tourists visit this region (Darjeeling and Sikkim.) “We have had inquiries from Japan, England, US. Germany and France,” informed Periwal. 

“We have inquiries and bookings for December. Though of a short duration, a good winter season would help make up for at least a part of the loss that we have suffered this year,” added hotelier Biswajit Saha.