After nearly four years of strife, the Darjeeling hills are looking forward to a booming tourist season this winter. 

After the signing of the Gorkha Territorial Administration treaty on July 18, the political turmoil seems to have ceased. As a result, tourists have been flocking to the hill station as per a report in Indian Express by Shiv Sahay Singh

In the past few years, hotels in Darjeeling recorded dismal occupancy rates. Now hotels say they are full to the brim. 

The famous Toy Train of Darjeeling, which used to make two trips a day, is now making eight trips to cater to rising demand from tourists. The fare from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling has almost doubled, even after damage caused by the earthquake. 

“For the last three and half years, hotel occupancy has been 60-65 per cent of capacity. Now there is 100 per cent occupancy and bookings for 5-6 per cent additional rooms,” said Raj Basu, chairman of Eastern Himalayan Travel and Tours Operating Association.