The mountainscape of north Bengal is known
to attract tourists. The Dooars is getting the window-dressing
this time as “Tea Tourism” seems to be the focus,
apart from the better known wildlife sanctuaries.
According to tour operators, tourism as an industry hardly
had a presence in the Dooars till 1997. But things are changing
with many initiatives taken to promote the industry in these
parts. Earlier, tourism in the Dooars revolved around the
Jaldapara and Garumara wildlife sanctuaries. Roads, the transport
system and accommodation, however, were inadequate. A well-managed
tourism industry is now in place to handle the tourist traffic.
According to the official records available with the West
Bengal Tourism Development Corporation last year, from January
to December 30,40,825 domestic tourists had visited the area
and 1,05,620 foreign tourists visited the Dooars and the hills
of north Bengal.
The figure is 2,72,525 more than 2005 when the total recorded
number of tourists was 28,73,881. Last year, a total of 492,813
tourists had visited the hills of north Bengal. A large number
of them had visited the Dooars.
The WBTDC deputy director, Mr Gopal Lama, said: “After
the success of “Forest Tourism”, our department
is planning to promote “Tea Tourism”. In our new
brochures and other promotional activities, we intend to promote
the Dooars in a big way.”
Courtesy: The Statesman |
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