Alipurduar district launches website for tourism promotion

Through the dedicated portal administration aims to boost the flow of tourists

 Buxa Fort, one of the prominent tourist destinations in the Dooars. During the freedom movement,  a detention camp used to operate out of the fort. : Picture by Anirban Choudhury

Anirban Choudhury   |   TT  |   Alipurduar   |   05.10.22 : The Alipurduar district administrations has come up with a dedicated website on tourism for travel enthusiasts keen to explore the Dooars and its jungles.

The website (www.alipurduartourism.com) is first such attempt by a district in Bengal, said an official before adding that the administration hoped it would increase the flow of tourists to the district further.

Along with furnishing necessary details of all major tourist spots of Alipurduar, the website — launched just ahead of Durga Puja as an autumn gift for travel enthusiasts — contains adequate information on heritage properties, fairs and festivals of the district, too.

The website also offers the details of the registered homestays around the tourism sites. Names of the owners of homestays, their distance from the nearest police station, airport, and state and national highways; and all other pertinent details are given on the website. Facilities available at these homestays can be obtained prior to booking through the website.

A video of six minutes is also uploaded on the website narrating the uniqueness of the major tourist spots in Alipurduar. The video features a folk song as its background and shows spots like Buxa Fort, Lepchakha, Rajabhatkhawa, Jaldapara, Chilapata, Kunjanagar, South Khayerbari, Totopara.

Tea gardens of the Dooars are also shown in the video.

Administrative sources have said it took three months to develop the website.

“The website was planned and designed with an eye to explore the prospects of tourism in Alipurduar in a digital way. Now, with the help of this website, prospective tourists across the globe can know about all relevant details of the district’s tourism with a single click. At the same time, initiatives are being taken to develop newer and off-beat travel destinations,” Alipurduar district magistrate Surendra Kumar Meena said.

He informed that 120 tourist guides would be available for helping tourists after the Puja.

Registration would be open for new homestays, too.

Manab Bakshi, the secretary of Alipurduar district tourism association, has welcomed the initiative to boost travel industry in the district. He said the website should be publicised.

“Such a website was quite essential in the interest of tourism in the district,” he said.