According to industry leaders, the tourism sector in West Bengal is looking forward to welcoming travellers in the upcoming Durga puja and Diwali seasons. 

Anil Punjabi, Head, Eastern Region, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), said that in the domestic and short-haul segments, people have been showing interest. 

However, business will be much lesser than last year

Punjabi added, “Queries are coming in about destinations and safety measures, but these are yet to be translated into bookings. There will be businesses in the Durga Puja and Diwali seasons with interest growing among people. However, the business could likely be much less than what it used to be in the previous years.”

With the safety protocols in place, travellers are slowly adjusting to the new normal. Furthermore, Punjabi said that the tour operators are providing interested travellers with information regarding the safety of these destinations.

Raj Basu, Convenor, Association for Conservation of Tourism said “Bengal is a value-for-money destination and is safe also. The reopening of Darjeeling hills to outsiders has led to tourists making queries about bookings for the Puja season.”

Basu added, “Many destinations in Darjeeling hills and Dooars forest in North Bengal are in village areas. Usually, these places have around 70 percent share of tourist footfalls.”

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