The West Bengal tourism department has termed the Darjeeling agitation responsible for its anticipated loss of Rs 100 crore with tour operators pouring with cancellation requests from the hills.

"People have the right to agitate but the way they have asked tourists and even students to evict is unethical. It will have a severe negative impact on not only business but also on the reputation of the place," State tourism minister Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury told Indian Express.

"Foreigners who chose Darjeeling over other hill stations would, out of disappointment, spread word against it once they return, thereby causing a dip in foreign earnings," Choudhury added. He says places like Sikkim and Kashmir would gain out of the crisis in Darjeeling.

Tourism secretary Vikram Sen, too, said the efforts the department was taking in to promote Darjeeling globally might not bear desired result. "Harassment faced by tourists will defeat the purpose as we try to project Darjeeling through our road shows," he said.

Tour operators in Kolkata said they had already started feeling the heat. "About 25 bookings for Darjeeling, in lieu of the upcoming holidays for Rakhi and Independence Day, have been cancelled. People are looking at new destinations," said said a tour operator.

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