SILIGURI: US Department of State has removed its unfavorable travel advice for Darjeeling region in West Bengal where tourism business has finally started turning around after long gloomy phase. But few retardants are still there those can fade out the positive prospect.
"It is highly encouraging that Department of State, US Government is no longer hosting the earlier issued unfavorable travel advice for its citizens intending to travel to Darjeeling region. US is a large contributor to the annual total foreign tourists arrival count to Darjeeling," said Mr. R. Basu, senior advisor to Eastern Himalayan Tour and Travel Operators Association (EHTTOA).
'This is going to work as a confidence builder for visitors from many other western countries too as the travel advise issued by US Government is followed by many of them," he added.
The earlier issued unfavorable US advice stated- "The Department of State strongly recommends that US citizens avoid travel to the Darjeeling Hills and Dooars areas of West Bengal (including the cities of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Siliguri."
Darjeeling receives around 50,000 foreign tourists per year that generates near 30% of total tourism business of the region worth around Rs 350 crore per annum.
Interestingly, "Over the usual gloomy state of business, festive season last year went even worse following devastating earthquake in September 2011. But the trend is totally opposite this year in Darjeeling that is now full of guests even at this peak monsoon. We are almost totally booked for the festive season too." said Mr. S. Sanyal, President, EHTTOA.
"Following removal of unfavorable travel advice, the winter season, a preferred choice by western travelers, is also likely to remain bright with high number of western visitors," he added.
But not everything is equally bright yet. UK, one of the largest contributors to the tourism business of Darjeeling, still hosts unfavorable advice. The present travel advice issued by Foreign and Commonwealth Office- UK reads, "There are frequent and sudden strikes called by the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha in Darjeeling and the surrounding hills in North Bengal. This results in severe transport disruption, shortage of drinking water, suspension of waste removal and closure of shops and government services in the region."
"Darjeeling does not deserve this now any more. India Government must look into it and initiate diplomatic level persuasions for removal of this," said many senior tourism business operatives.
"It is highly encouraging that Department of State, US Government is no longer hosting the earlier issued unfavorable travel advice for its citizens intending to travel to Darjeeling region. US is a large contributor to the annual total foreign tourists arrival count to Darjeeling," said Mr. R. Basu, senior advisor to Eastern Himalayan Tour and Travel Operators Association (EHTTOA).
'This is going to work as a confidence builder for visitors from many other western countries too as the travel advise issued by US Government is followed by many of them," he added.
The earlier issued unfavorable US advice stated- "The Department of State strongly recommends that US citizens avoid travel to the Darjeeling Hills and Dooars areas of West Bengal (including the cities of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Siliguri."
Darjeeling receives around 50,000 foreign tourists per year that generates near 30% of total tourism business of the region worth around Rs 350 crore per annum.
Interestingly, "Over the usual gloomy state of business, festive season last year went even worse following devastating earthquake in September 2011. But the trend is totally opposite this year in Darjeeling that is now full of guests even at this peak monsoon. We are almost totally booked for the festive season too." said Mr. S. Sanyal, President, EHTTOA.
"Following removal of unfavorable travel advice, the winter season, a preferred choice by western travelers, is also likely to remain bright with high number of western visitors," he added.
But not everything is equally bright yet. UK, one of the largest contributors to the tourism business of Darjeeling, still hosts unfavorable advice. The present travel advice issued by Foreign and Commonwealth Office- UK reads, "There are frequent and sudden strikes called by the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha in Darjeeling and the surrounding hills in North Bengal. This results in severe transport disruption, shortage of drinking water, suspension of waste removal and closure of shops and government services in the region."
"Darjeeling does not deserve this now any more. India Government must look into it and initiate diplomatic level persuasions for removal of this," said many senior tourism business operatives.
Source: Economic times
Post a Comment
We love to hear from you! What's on your mind?