Inside story for tea tourists

SILIGURI, May 5: Elections mean a lot to them, but not as much as money. A section of the tea garden workers in north Bengal is set to part ways with affairs political for profit, through tourism.

The workers who believe politics cannot resolve much of their problems, monetary or otherwise, now think that they should exploit the region's potential to the fullest. And a handful of travel agencies, which have tied up with the management of tea garden in the hills, are ready to extent their cooperation.
As part of the venture, tourists can now make arranged trips to tea gardens. This is part of a larger effort to boost ecotourism in north Bengal.

Many feel the initiative could offer garden workers an opportunity to interact with the outside world, apart from opening new avenues of employment and sustenance.

`Records show that tea tourists are rising by the day although no efforts have been made to offer attractive packages,` vice-president of the Association for Conservation and Tourism said.

`Gardens here have a unique ambience. We have already taken tourists to gardens like Makaibari, Glenburn and Phanskhawa to give them a first-hand view of how the industry functions,` he added.

A visitor in a tea garden gets to see everything, from the plucking of tea leaves to how processed leaves are stored and packed in cases. They are allowed to take a close look at the various tea manufacturing processes in the factory. The venture is unique since the entire effort adds to the brand weight of a particular tea garden.

The plan includes allowing visitors to stay in cottages on the estate premises. This, apart from enriching their experience, will also help the workers who will be given a part of the money charged as rent.

`We are expecting a few tourists to visit tea gardens within the next few days, that is, during the polls and the counting. They can relish the natural beauty of the tea gardens and also get to know about the region's political culture,` said an office bearer with a local travel agency.

Courtesy
The Telegraph

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