Snow, Sikkim hope for Hills tourism after puja lull
Times of India | 2 December 2024
Siliguri: Following a lull in tourism during the festive season, the early snowfall in the Hills and the reopening of North Sikkim after a year from Sunday brought a ray of hope for hoteliers and tour operators. With many tourists cancelling their bookings, tour operators were left financially drained. However, they are now looking forward to the usual year-end bustle.
President of Darjeeling Hoteliers Association (DHA), Undup Bhutia, said the snowfall brought hope as the region did not receive as many tourists as they had expected. "This year, the occupancy was down by 50-60% during the festive season. The revenue lost is almost 70%. The revenue generated as a percentage of annual sales during the month of October is 25-30%," said Bhutia. He further said November is about to end, the hotel industry is facing losses, but it might pick up now after the snowfall and the list of festivals lined up in December.
Among the reasons attributed to lesser footfall in the Hills this year was the year-long closure of North Sikkim for tourists. Earlier this year, the Toong-Naga Road in North Sikkim, connecting Lachung and Lachen, was closed following multiple slides in the region. On Sunday, North Sikkim opened its gates for tourists, boosting tourism in Darjeeling as well as in Sikkim. "On the first day, 107 vehicles left for Lachung. We have not opened Lachen yet as the roads are still not motorable; restoration work is still underway," said an official.
Coinciding with this, the highest point in Bengal, Sandakphu, received snowfall twice in November. The season's first snowfall, up to one inch, was reported from Sandakphu. The area usually receives snowfall from December to February.
"Hopefully, December will generate good business as there are a few interesting events lined up like Melo-tea Fest and Winter Festival, which we hope will generate good footfall. Tourism is picking up pace in the Hills," he added. According to the hoteliers, the Hills has more than 400 hotels and resorts, but livelihood is at stake as the footfall is very low.
Darjeeling Association of Travel Agents (DATA), general secretary, Pradeep Lama, said that the occupancy was low, but with the snowfall, the region will see a gradual increase in footfall. "We are hopeful that the region will receive good tourists till January," said Lama. "Last year, we were sold out till the first week of January, but this time the footfall was comparatively less. However, with the snowfall, the tourism sector will hopefully revive," said Samir Singhal, owner of a hotel near the Mall Road in Darjeeling.