Following aggressive political stance taken by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) in Darjeeling hills, tourism arena players have become skeptical about the business there during post winter season that contributes a major share of the annual trade of over Rs 350 crores in the region.
GJM's announcement of a series of bandhs in March, peak post winter tourism season, has shocked the tourism arena as per a TOI report.
"But, we are uncertain about the final post winter season business in Darjeeling hills as the situation is taking a not so tourism friendly turn. The strikes are going to be shattering even if take place for just few days," said senior tour operators, as usual, reluctant to be named.
According to S Roy, Secretary, Eastern Himalayan Travel and Tour Operators Association, with around 6500 hotel rooms, Darjeeling sector receives around 50,000 foreign and 5 lakh domestic tourists per year that generates a business of around Rs 350 crore per annum. Around 45 per cent of the domestic tourists visit Darjeeling during festive slot and 35 per cent during March to June. But as a very positive trend, many special interest tourism sectors like trekking, birding, biking are growing very fast in this region showing very high growth potential," he said.
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