SILIGURI: After long gloomy phase, Darjeeling is witnessing bright tourism business scenario at this pre monsoon season. This is expected to continue even in the post Monsoon and festive season. But few retardants are major bottlenecking for long term continuation of the trend.
The trend in tourist's inflow towards Darjeeling region is taking a definite and encouraging shape this year after years long gloomy phase. Following present high volume tourist arrival in pre monsoon, the coming Monsoon and then festive season is also expected to remain bright this year. But few major retardants are still there eating up the luster of this positive trend.
"Even at this pre monsoon, we are almost 100% booked. Hotels are almost 80% booked for the period till end June. This is a highly encouraging and positive picture," said Mr. Tapas Roy, secretary, Eastern Himalayan Tour and Travel Operators Association.
After a gloomy phase since 2007 mainly due to turmoil in political climate over Darjeeling hills, the vortex started settling down last year showing overall development in the tourism scenario. Tourist's inflow started increasing. "That positive trend has taken a solid shape this year," said Mr. Roy.
The annual inflow here had always remained divided into clearly demarcated on seasons with deep off seasons in between. Around 35% of the domestic tourists visit Darjeeling during pre monsoon slot from March to June and 45% visit during festive season from September to Mid November.
These two slots generate almost 80% of around Rs 350 crore worth annual tourism business. With around 6,500 hotel rooms, Darjeeling receives around 50,000 foreign and 5 lakh domestic tourists per year .
Importantly, "Showing a significant change in the trend, the pre-monsoon season is extending backward while festive season is coming forward reducing the off season phase. This is enabling us to offer better pricing to tourists round the year," said veteran tourism adviser Mr. Raj Basu.
However, there are few serious retardants. The main link to Darjeeling NH55 is defunct since last three years. Legendary Toy Train from Siliguri to Darjeeling is also out of service.
Moreover, shortage of water, unfriendly attitude of a section of hotels, sky rocketing vehicle rent and practically no Government control are few top up inconveniences over these retardants. "Only because of these, not everyone return from Darjeeling with very high level of satisfaction," said many tourists, domestic as well as foreign.
The trend in tourist's inflow towards Darjeeling region is taking a definite and encouraging shape this year after years long gloomy phase. Following present high volume tourist arrival in pre monsoon, the coming Monsoon and then festive season is also expected to remain bright this year. But few major retardants are still there eating up the luster of this positive trend.
"Even at this pre monsoon, we are almost 100% booked. Hotels are almost 80% booked for the period till end June. This is a highly encouraging and positive picture," said Mr. Tapas Roy, secretary, Eastern Himalayan Tour and Travel Operators Association.
After a gloomy phase since 2007 mainly due to turmoil in political climate over Darjeeling hills, the vortex started settling down last year showing overall development in the tourism scenario. Tourist's inflow started increasing. "That positive trend has taken a solid shape this year," said Mr. Roy.
The annual inflow here had always remained divided into clearly demarcated on seasons with deep off seasons in between. Around 35% of the domestic tourists visit Darjeeling during pre monsoon slot from March to June and 45% visit during festive season from September to Mid November.
These two slots generate almost 80% of around Rs 350 crore worth annual tourism business. With around 6,500 hotel rooms, Darjeeling receives around 50,000 foreign and 5 lakh domestic tourists per year .
Importantly, "Showing a significant change in the trend, the pre-monsoon season is extending backward while festive season is coming forward reducing the off season phase. This is enabling us to offer better pricing to tourists round the year," said veteran tourism adviser Mr. Raj Basu.
However, there are few serious retardants. The main link to Darjeeling NH55 is defunct since last three years. Legendary Toy Train from Siliguri to Darjeeling is also out of service.
Moreover, shortage of water, unfriendly attitude of a section of hotels, sky rocketing vehicle rent and practically no Government control are few top up inconveniences over these retardants. "Only because of these, not everyone return from Darjeeling with very high level of satisfaction," said many tourists, domestic as well as foreign.
ET
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