After the previous tourist season suffered
a setback due to the political programme and strikes convened
by the GJMM, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hotel Owners’ Association
is working towards promoting Darjeeling for the next festive
season, which would begin in mid-September.
The association, which has been rechristened as Janamukti
Hotel and Restaurant Owners’ Association, Darjeeling,
has welcomed tourists assuring them that the next season would
be free of inconvenience. “We met the GJMM chief Mr
Bimal Gurung yesterday and he assured us that there will be
no political disturbance in the festive season”, said
Mr Sangay Tshering Bhutia, President of the association.
The indefinite strike of the GJMM from 11 June literally brought
the Hills to a standstill affecting mostly the tourism industry
on which nearly 90 per cent of the Hill people are dependent.
“The movement is being misinterpreted outside Darjeeling.
We want to convey that the movement is totally democratic
and there is nothing for the tourists to fear,” Mr Bhutia
said.
According to figures obtained from the tourism industry, the
collective occupancy in hotels fell from 80 per cent to 50
per cent in June. There is further apprehension that the dipping
trend in reservations of tourists from New Zealand, Germany
and Britain, who make their reservations a year ahead, is
likely to continue till February next year.
Undeterred, the hotel owners will plunge into the infrastructural
development of Darjeeling and adjoining areas for the convenience
of the tourists. “Water supply and road conditions are
top priorities. The association along with the All Transport
Joint Action Committee will look into road repairs and development,”
Mr Bhutia added.
Tourist festivals and development of other tourist spots are
also on their priority lists. Incentives like discount on
tariff and additional facilities are also being planned for
the tourists. “We are exploring the development of other
tourist spots like Sandak phu. Along with that, a tourist
festival would also be organised like the previous season.
Discount rates though will depend on the inflow of tourists,”
Mr Bhutia added.
The association is also looking forward to promoting Darjeeling
at the Tourism Trade Fair in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar to be
held from 2 August to 4 August and from 7 August to 9 August
respectively.
Courtesy: The Statesman |
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