Here come the tourists again

With normalcy returning to the Darjeeling hills after more than two months of unrest, the winter season ahead is looking bright as tourists have started making a beeline to the region.
Groups, students, corporate houses and families have all begun making their way uphill over the past few days. With Diwali just around the corner, tourists not only from Bengal, but also from other parts of the country have started pouring in to the Darjeeling hills.
The region had remained under the grip of tension and uncertainty throughout the months of July, August and even in the early part of this month given the resurgence of the statehood agitation.
However, with the state government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha reaching an agreement and the turmoil ending, visitors are once again back to this place of unparalleled beauty.
Vehicles packed with visitors are busy making their way uphill to Darjeeling and Kalimpong on a regular basis since the past several days. Most of them are from various parts of the state, especially Kolkata, and they seem to have taken to heart the appeal by both chief minister Mamata Banerjee and GJM leaders of not forsaking the hills.
“We wanted to come to Darjeeling for Durga Puja, but the situation was not conducive because of the uncertainty prevailing then. However, with the CM and hill leaders coming together to make a sincere appeal, we felt it was safe to visit the place,” said Ramesh Sanyal, a resident of Kidderpore, Kolkata.
Sankriti Roy, a working mother from Behala who arrived today with her two children and in-laws, also echoed similar sentiments. “I have always loved coming to Darjeeling and Kalimpong for holidaying to refresh my mind and body, as back in Kolkata it is always hectic and polluted. I thought I would not be able to visit the hills this year, but thank god, good sense has prevailed as Darjeeling and my desire to visit this lovely place stands fulfilled,” she said.
For tour operators and hoteliers who have had to bear the brunt of the unrest, the recent developments are more than welcome. “I have started getting a few tourists and the signs are good as the actual season is yet to start. The recent disturbances have tremendously affected the tourism industry here. However, with things getting back to normal, I have no doubt that the upcoming winter season will be good,” said an owner of a leased hotel not wishing to be named.
Ahead of the rejuvenated statehood movement in the March-April season this year, the hills had received a significant number of visitors. The onset of October-November sees the entry of the so-called puja travellers, while the cold month of December with chances of snowfall is when the real winter tourist season begins.(EOIC)