GTA launches mobile app to help tourists

EOI, DARJEELING, 27 SEPT 2023 : The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration on Wednesday launched a multi-faceted mobile app with the goal to provide facilities to the visiting tourists to the Hills.

The tourism department of the GTA  organized a programme at Lalkothi, the GTA headquarter to mark World Tourism Day to launch the mobile app. 

The app will provide details to users about the places to visit, available hotels and homestays in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts and how to book vehicles among other things.  The GTA also announced the start of a heritage walk, e-ticketing in their parks and gardens and also handed out certificates to around 30 guides trained by them.

The GTA Tourism Sabashad, Norden Sherpa said, "The mobile app can be downloaded from Google Play and in it apart from information of tourism related places tourists can also do direct booking of vehicles, home stays and hotels. They can also make direct contact with them over the phone." 

Transport reservation will also be possible through this app where one can also choose the driver along with the type of vehicle. Reservation of both shared and reserved vehicle can be done through this.

Ratings of the home stay or the transportation can also be given. Also mentioned in the app is the temperature, attractions and details of the place including ticket price, timings and the GPS route. Adventure activities are also one of the main features in the app.

Speaking about the Heritage walk which started from today, Sherpa said, "The theme of the World Tourism Day this time is Green Investments and keeping in mind we are starting this Heritage Walk which is pollution free. People can walk to different Heritage places with the help of guide who have been trained by the GTA. To further lessen pollution we have also started e-ticketing in different parks and gardens like Tiger Hill and Rock garden among other places so paper will not have to be used."

Sherpa also said that they were giving emphasis in promoting rural tourism.