Darjeeling - April 11 - In an unique programme, seven
hotel agents in Darjeeling - usually looked down upon as touts - were
felicitated and offered a six-day all paid tour of Kolkata.
They were adjudged the best discipline
agents by the Darjeeling Gorkha Hotel Agent`s Association who organised
the programme. The event doubled up as a cultural extravaganza,
attended by the VIPs and the general public.
The winners were Sonam Sherpa, Tapas Nag, Kumar Tamang, Bikram Rai,
Anand Gurung, Sonam Lepcha and Sonam Bhutia.
Mr. Pranay Rai, chief advisor, DGHAA, said tourism forms the main
source of income in the hills, so selecting best hotel agents will
in effect boost the tourism sector. `By rewarding good workers
in the industry we can improve the services. It can serve as a good
motivation,` he said.
This is for the first time that the association, with 453 members,
has rewarded some of its own. About 11 hotels were felicitated for
`good services.`
The association introduced a strict code of conduct for its members.
Nearly 50 of them have been suspended for violation of the code.
The hotel agents have always been considered as the 'bane' of the
tourism industry. They would hang around the motor stand and coax
travelers aggressively. Most of the time they were drunk. Several
unsuccessful attempts have made in the past to curb the menace.
The association`s efforts were praised today by Mr. Deepak Gurung,
president, GNLF, Darjeeling Branch. `Such acts will go to improve
the over all image of Darjeeling,` he said.
Popular local rock band, Reincarnation, performed at the occasion.
Courtesy
The Statesman |
Home | About Us | Contact
Us | Site Map | Feedback
