Family tourism push

Jalpaiguri, Nov. 2: The tourism department has decided to promote the `family tourism` concept to counter the lack of accommodation in tourist spots in the area.

Under this arrangement, visitors can stay as paying guests at the home of a local resident at the tourist spot that they visit. Tourism minister Dinesh Dakua met tour operators and hoteliers at Jalpaiguri circuit house this morning in this regard.

`There is shortage of accommodation in the Dooars belt. Though private entrepreneurs are coming up to set hotels and resorts, more accommodation is necessary to match the tourist inflow to the area,` said Dakua. `We have identified families in different areas like Khuttimari, Kalchini, Buxa, Madarihat, Totopara and some other areas, who will keep tourists as paying guests in their houses. This concept of family tourism has been a hit in states like Andhra Pradesh,` he added. According to Dakua, the tourism department would inspect the locations and residences identified in the district. `We will check out the locations to ensure safety of the tourists. We will soon publish a list of places where tourists can find such accommodation. A separate catalogue of all the private hotels, resorts and rest houses will also be published in every tourism centre of our department,` the minister said.

He added that the department had taken efforts to popularise some trekking routes, but the response had been low.

Latest Travel News