Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, and Diwali are the peak season for tour operators. This is the time when families can plan holidays, with schools, colleges, and offices closed simultaneously. However, this year, with political turmoil and natural calamities, the tourism industry has taken a hit.

“Hardly any destination is left to sell. There was Covid, then natural disasters affected us — Kashmir, Kedarnath, everything was affected. We have no space to breathe,” Riddhi Roy of Dolphin Travels told The Indian Express.

At least 20 people were killed and many more injured after a string of powerful landslides — following a barrage of rain — swept through Mirik, Sukhiapokhri, Darjeeling and adjoining areas on Sunday night and into Monday. “We had a group of around 10 to 15 people who were to go to Darjeeling and Mirik during Diwali, but after this, we will give them other options, or they can keep the money with us and later opt for another place. We are giving the Northeast as an option,” said Roy.

Earlier this year, protests against Nepal’s government meant that Indian airlines and travel operators were forced to cancel trips and tours.

Anil Punjabi, owner of Ares Travels Pvt. Ltd. and a member of the Travel Agents Federation of India, told The Indian Express, “When such calamities happen, tourism gets hit first and recovers last. For the last eight months, something or the other has been happening. I have told clients to wait and watch. We will give them alternatives, or if they want a refund, we will. Tourism has been hit in the recent past — I can see that in 2025 the industry has slowed down. This time, we are seeing a trend where tourists are going to places where they have relatives and friends.”

Soumitra Kundu of Kundu Travels told The Indian Express, “Two things affect tourism —political disturbance and natural calamity. The hilly areas have become very risky for tourists; like in the Himachal region, there is flooding. This is all due to deforestation. Even a few years ago, such calamities were not seen. This is very dangerous for the tourism industry.”

Meanwhile, several people who had bookings for the Diwali vacation are cancelling their plans.

Priyadeep Das of Jadavpur said, “A group of friends were to visit Kalimpong between October 10 and October 15, but the plans are on hold given the current situation. We regularly visit the hills, it’s like a quick detox from hectic life. But now, with the payment already made, we will not be making any other plans soon.”

Roshmika Chandra, who lives in the United States and is visiting her maternal home for Durga Puja, had come with her husband and five-year-old son. They had plans to visit the Hills. “Post-Durga Puja, around 15 of us were to visit Mirik, Lava, and Lolegaon. It was a family trip for seven days, but now everything is on hold because the conditions are not suitable to travel. We had already booked the hotels and flights, and now there’s a big question about whether we will get a refund,” she said.