As peace prevails, region becomes tourist hotspot

MANAS R BANNERJEE, SNS, SILIGURI, 22 OCTOBER 2018: Siliguri has presently become an important tourist hub in South Asia, from where people are fast visiting several places, including Nepal and Bhutan, because of the peace that has returned in the region, those in the tourism industry say.

Experts associated with the industry said they have noticed a "unique Effect" men during the oft-season between 15 June and 1 October this year.

The tourist flow has increased remarkably as compared to the last few years since Durga Puja, and tour operators expect more till 26 January if peace remains in the region.

'The scene at the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) in the last few days is a telltale sign of the good flow of tourists, as there is a huge rush of passengers and many of them have come to visit the region, including the two counties of Nepal and Bhutan,' a tour operator said today

As the NJP station was overcrowded yesterday, the scene at the Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus in Siliguri and the Bagdogra Airport was no different.

'There was no off- season this year in this region. We can call it the low season .Tourists have been coming here continuously since June because of the peace that has been restored in this region, while there was no major natural calamity this year," an observer said,

"This proves that peace plays an important role in the development of tourism. A past of tourist destinations comprising Darjeeling and Kalimpong was comparatively peaceful this year," he said,

"The 104-day strike was called off in the Hills last year as Durga Puja began then. The calm that has remained here after that has led to a massive rush of tourists this year," said another senior tour operator, Samrat Sanyal. "We cannot say it is a record, as there is slack of system to count the footfalls here," he added.

"Tourists do not bother about lack of infrastructure and other amenities during their visit as long as political peace and good climatic conditions remain, Tourists automatically run after their target spots despite the in adequate hotel accommodation and the extra travel charges," Raj Basu, a tourism expert, said.

One Rabin Mondal, a resident of Kona in Howrah, a member of a visiting team, comprising other family members and neighbours,reached NJP in the Kanchenjungha Express yesterday and they plan to visit Rishop in Kalimpong.

They said they did not book hotels at NJP and even at Rishop, though they know it would be tough to manage accommodation at an 11th hour. The group, however, managed accommodation in Siliguri and left for Rishop this morning.

"We camped in Siliguri last night, We are going to Rishop by a Sumo car and we are enjoying the journey," Mr Mondal said on the phone as he travelled today.

According to tourism expert, Mr Basu, Siliguri, a tourist hub comprising the NJP railway station,Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus and Bagdogra Airport, has become a 'target tourist station' in the whole of South Asia.

Sources said that Western Bhutan, comprising Thimpu and Paro, has been receiving a huge number of tourists. almost six times more than its population. The Bhutanese government has also planned to deal with the tourism industry in a planned manner and imposed some systems gradually for the movement of tourists in the country.

The Tourism Council of Bhutan introduced the Tourism Rules and Regulations last year and is implementing it gradually to control the excessive rush through the Jaigaon Phuentsholing Indo-Bhutan border.

Significantly, the Nepal government has also planned to formulate a tourism policy through its provincial governments.

According to sources, the Nepal Prime Minister has asked its Chief Minister of Province I from Mechi to Koshi rivers, to formulate a tourism policy by keeping in mind North Bengal and Sikkim for its development but not with the "Golden Triangle Tour in Nepal", comprising Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan.