Hotels in Darjeeling, probably Bengal’s top tourist destination, have decided to down their shutters indefinitely from July 1.
Though the West Bengal government has allowed the reopening of hotels and restaurants from June 8, the Darjeeling Hotel Owners’ Association says it is not feasible to operate with only a few tourists arriving due to the pandemic.
The decision may affect the livelihood of 10,000 families associated with the industry in the hill station and its outskirts. There are 380 hotels in Darjeeling town and its outskirts that accommodate nearly 4.5 lakh tourists every year.
“We do not see any tourist arrivals in the hills in the near future,” said Sangay Tshering, president of the Association. The decision was taken during the association’s meeting on Wednesday.
The summer is the peak season for Darjeeling, and monsoon makes the dull season for the hill stations’ tourism industry. Those in the tourism industry, including travel and tour operators, say the decision would impact the tourism industry in the whole region extending to the restaurants and the transport sector.
The north Bengal tourism circuit comprises Darjeeling, Kalimpong hills and the foothills called the Dooars. Hotel owners in Kalimpong and Dooars, however, have not taken any such decision yet.
