SILIGURI
The ongoing political turmoil in northern West Bengal has badly influenced festive season tourism business prospect of adjoining state Sikkim. Though the movement is apparently at declining phase now, the damage already taken place is not likely to get reversed for the himalayan state that hosts very high dependency on Tourism.
“The situation definitely deserves a serious consideration as our state has witnessed very high number of booking cancellations,” said PD Rai, the only Loksabha MP from Sikkim.
According to T Roy, Secretary Eastern Himalayan Tour and Travel Operators Association, Darjeeling has witnessed over 80% cancellations following eruption of the political turmoil in first week of August, peak booking period for festive season. And, “Near 70% of travelers, arriving this region, prefer tagging up Sikkim and Darjeeling. So, any cancellation at any side causes huge business loss for both the sides,” explained veteran tour operator and tourism advisor to Government of Sikkim R Basu.
Full report here Economic Times
