SILIGURI: Following aggressive political stance taken by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) in Darjeeling hills, tourism arena players have become skeptical about the business there during post winter season that contributes a major share of the annual trade of over Rs 350 crores in the region.
GJM's announcement of a series of bandhs in March, peak post winter tourism season, has shocked the tourism arena. Interestingly, despite announcing practical war against the West Bengal state Government, GJM leaders did not utter any word on resigning from their posts in Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Darjeeling's autonomous administrative body.
GTA was formed under active initiative of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to 'control' Darjeeling crisis. "May be, GJM is keeping its way open to leave the path of bandhs following the political developments to come during next 15 days as outcome of its warning," said political observers.
"But, we are uncertain about the final post winter season business in Darjeeling hills as the situation is taking a not so tourism friendly turn. The strikes are going to be shattering even if take place for just few days," said senior tour operators, as usual, reluctant to be named.
According to S Roy, Secretary, Eastern Himalayan Travel and Tour Operators Association, with around 6500 hotel rooms, Darjeeling sector receives around 50,000 foreign and 5 lakh domestic tourists per year that generates a business of around Rs 350 crore per annum. Around 45 per cent of the domestic tourists visit Darjeeling during festive slot and 35 per cent during March to June. But as a very positive trend, many special interest tourism sectors like trekking, birding, biking are growing very fast in this region showing very high growth potential," he said.
In addition, " Department of State, US Government removed its earlier issued unfavorable travel advice for its citizens intending to travel to Darjeeling region. That worked as a confidence builder for visitors from many other western countries," said R Basu, senior tourism consultant.
As an obvious outcome of all these, "The booking and enquiry trend for this post-winter season was highly encouraging. Many hotels have already received over 60 per cent bookings for entire season. These all will be lost causing heavy loss for everyone in the hills if the situation turns dark," said hoteliers.
GJM, now demands reintroduction of usual three tire Panchayet system in hills. But West Bengal CM Mamata Bannerjee needs an amendment in Constitution carried out to have it for Darjeeling. And present chemistry between her and UPA does not show any hope for that.
GJM also wants immediate transfer of many administrative departments from state government governance to GTA to ensure much higher administrative and financial strength for GTA. But above all, the party is displeased with state government's decision to develop a separate development council for Lepchas, a major ethnic community in hills.
GJM's announcement of a series of bandhs in March, peak post winter tourism season, has shocked the tourism arena. Interestingly, despite announcing practical war against the West Bengal state Government, GJM leaders did not utter any word on resigning from their posts in Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Darjeeling's autonomous administrative body.
GTA was formed under active initiative of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to 'control' Darjeeling crisis. "May be, GJM is keeping its way open to leave the path of bandhs following the political developments to come during next 15 days as outcome of its warning," said political observers.
"But, we are uncertain about the final post winter season business in Darjeeling hills as the situation is taking a not so tourism friendly turn. The strikes are going to be shattering even if take place for just few days," said senior tour operators, as usual, reluctant to be named.
According to S Roy, Secretary, Eastern Himalayan Travel and Tour Operators Association, with around 6500 hotel rooms, Darjeeling sector receives around 50,000 foreign and 5 lakh domestic tourists per year that generates a business of around Rs 350 crore per annum. Around 45 per cent of the domestic tourists visit Darjeeling during festive slot and 35 per cent during March to June. But as a very positive trend, many special interest tourism sectors like trekking, birding, biking are growing very fast in this region showing very high growth potential," he said.
In addition, " Department of State, US Government removed its earlier issued unfavorable travel advice for its citizens intending to travel to Darjeeling region. That worked as a confidence builder for visitors from many other western countries," said R Basu, senior tourism consultant.
As an obvious outcome of all these, "The booking and enquiry trend for this post-winter season was highly encouraging. Many hotels have already received over 60 per cent bookings for entire season. These all will be lost causing heavy loss for everyone in the hills if the situation turns dark," said hoteliers.
GJM, now demands reintroduction of usual three tire Panchayet system in hills. But West Bengal CM Mamata Bannerjee needs an amendment in Constitution carried out to have it for Darjeeling. And present chemistry between her and UPA does not show any hope for that.
GJM also wants immediate transfer of many administrative departments from state government governance to GTA to ensure much higher administrative and financial strength for GTA. But above all, the party is displeased with state government's decision to develop a separate development council for Lepchas, a major ethnic community in hills.
Source: Economictimes
Post a Comment
We love to hear from you! What's on your mind?