Tour operators are happy vis-à-vis trend of booking in hotels, resorts, homestays and the toy train across the hills

The Bengal tourism industry says nearly 90 per cent of the accommodation in homestays are booked until Diwali. These have mushroomed in different villages across the hills, both in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. Tour operators are happy at the trend of booking in hotels, resorts and homestays across the hills. Moreover, reservation for rides in the toy train of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) have also boosted their enthusiasm. In their opinion, these are indications about the revival of tourism in the hills, especially during the Diwali and Chhath Puja holidays. It is evident that after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic people are back in the travel mood. When compared to hotel bookings, homestays are doing better. As a veteran in the tourism industry explains - “Even in 2019, homestays were not so popular. But after the pandemic, people prefer to stay in isolated places instead of crowded ones. That is why bookings are so high in these accommodations.” Hill tourism on a festive peak.

The bookings reveal that during Diwali, tourists plan to go to prominent spots like Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong apart from locations like Sonada, Chatakpur, Mirik, Sitong, Lava and Loleygaon. Even lesser known homestays in Mirik like tea estates and orange groves are booked. Moreover, an official of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway DHR reveals there is a huge response from tourists for rides this season. The DHR conducts 12 daily joy rides from Darjeeling station. The return trip from Ghoom covers the Batasia loop and is the most popular ride in the DHR. The tourism industry suffered huge losses because of the pandemic and it hopes return of tourists can boost the industry.

Some popular stories of this blogger –

Hurricane Roslyn, a powerful Category 4 storm, struck the Mexican resort of Puerto Vallarta

The government of India has identified wildlife conservation as one of its key goals

It seems Beijing wants to remove the status quo vis-à-vis Taiwan

Nigeria, the West African nation, sees the worst flooding in a decade with more than 600 dead

Good news for Indians – Diwali will be a public school holiday in New York City starting 2023

Meghan and Harry visited Uvalde, Texas, the location of the second deadliest shooting in a U.S. school to open a new community play space

North Korea fires hundreds of artillery shells in retaliation to annual defense drills of the South

Heavy overnight rain robs residents of Bangalore of their sleep

Taiwan has allies in the Pacific and Lithuania is its newest unofficial ally

CM of Bengal announces 11 days holiday for Bengalis to celebrate Durga Puja 2022 in a big way

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is never at a loss for ideas. In spite of innumerable problems around her, she remains unruffled. She has declared 11 days holiday for the government staff from September 30 to October 10. She has drawn up a schedule and the celebrations will begin from September 1. On this day, there will be a mega rally in Kolkata to thank UNESCO for including Kolkata's Durga Puja on the list of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’. The rally will start from Jorasanko Thakurbari and end at Rani Rasmoni Avenue. The immersion carnival would be in Kolkata on October 8. It was not observed for two years due to Covid-19 pandemic. Bengal CM Mamata announces Rs 60,000 grant to Durga Puja committees, 11 days holiday. The long stretch of holiday will act as incentive for the people to move out of their homes and visit tourism spots like Digha, Puri or Darjeeling to relieve boredom. It will also boost the Bengal tourism sector.

The Chief Minister also announced that her government would increase the grant to Durga Puja organizing committees in the state from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000. She announced this during a meeting with Durga Puja organizing committee members at the city's Netaji Indoor Stadium. She also mentioned that there would be a 60 per cent discount on power tariff to organizers of Durga Puja. She added that this year's Puja would be special. There would be many visitors from abroad and the organizers must be prepared for this.

Durga Puja from outside India –

13 Best Durga Puja in London UK 2022
14 Best Durga Puja in New York USA 2022
2022 Durga Puja Calendar for Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Some popular stories in this and related sites –

The US and South Korea begin their joint military exercises in view of North Korean nuclear threat

Woman goes missing in flash floods near the Temple of Sinawava at Zion National Park in Utah

Durga Puja and a trip to the sea beach of Digha

Japan wants to promote new concepts related to drinking and marriage in order to revive its economy

Unidentified gunmen stormed a hotel in Mogadishu and killed at least 20

Society is in peril when leaders use unparliamentarily language in public

Trade talks between the United States and Taiwan take off in spite of China’s attitude

Dahi Handi with human pyramids is a part of Krishna Janmashtami festival

Saving the river fish in the UK as lack of rains dries up water bodies

Didi’s underwater restaurant to woo tourists (satire)

Bruto Bose was excited – the brand ambassador of the state had, at last, found some time to come down and shoot a few videos to highlight the tourism potentials of the state. Bruto knew that Didi would be happy at his results.
But, things did not work out as he had expected when he met her face to face. She was there in her office with Moo Cool, Abhi Shake, Patro Chatto and Omit Misra – they were her most trusted four pillars of support. Her team of Fantastic Four.
‘Where you have shot the videos?’ Didi asked Bruto.
‘The hills of Darjeeling, the beaches of Digha and the forests of the Sunderbans,’ Bruto explained.
‘That is why I keep getting annoyed at you,’ Didi was blunt. ‘You are a well-known actor yourself, why could you not influence another actor to do something different?’ she gave a sarcastic grin. It was her specialty.
‘I forgot, we shot a video in the millennium park on the banks of the Ganges,’ Bruto said.

‘You must have also enjoyed a 5-star lunch on the floating restaurant?’ again she passed another sarcastic comment. Bruto Bose shifted uneasily in his chair. He knew that it was a difficult task to ask tourists to come to the state. In fact, the locals were trying to move out because of lack of opportunities. This in spite of Bengalis loving their wide variety of foods, their abundance of festivals, and multitude of fairs be they of books or handicrafts.
‘Have you given some thought to my idea?’ Didi asked.
Bruto Bose blinked. Didi was always having ideas. Which idea was she talking about now?
‘Didi wants to know about the underwater restaurant,’ Moo Cool whispered. ‘Like the one that has come up recently in Ahmedabad.’
‘I have thought about it,’ Bruto cleared his throat and said. ‘I have discussed with the engineers. They will draw up plans of the restaurant. It has to withstand the pressure of water. And, we have to decide on the location.’
‘I have already said it must be in Outram Ghat,’ Didi said.
‘There should be more than one,’ Bruto said. ‘Outram Ghat is one location. I think we should decide on other locations. More such restaurants mean more tourists.’
The worst part is that Didi was aware of the pitfalls of attracting tourists but, she always put up a brave face and never surrenders. In order to improve air connectivity, she had inaugurated several air routes – but, passengers are not coming.
Her motto is ‘ekla chalo’ or ‘go it alone’.
She had successfully won over the people with her philosophy and hold the reins of the state. Is she gradually realizing that she had bitten off more than she could chew?
‘What are you waiting for?’ Didi asked. ‘Put your heads together and work out the modalities.’
‘Yes,’ Moo Cool agreed. ‘Let us do that. Let us woo tourists with our underwater restaurants.’ (to be continued …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Abhi Shake for industries to boost Bengal’s image (satire)

Rum Mudda reminds Moody about temples (satire)

Didi is allergic to anything red (satire)


Odisha offers windsurfing, snorkeling and other water sports on the Mahanadi River

Goat farming brings joy to people of Nag Tibba in Tehri

Foods that help to lower cholesterol levels and control heart disease


“The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar” - Disney’s upcoming television movie

'Avatar 2', sequel to 'Avatar' of 2009 expected to release in December 2017

Aamir Khan no longer the face of Incredible India


Bomb attack kills 9 persons in Cairo near road leading to Egyptian pyramids

Woman with fake passport in a British Airways flight from Ibiza leads to panic

Tourists to Morocco told by Foreign Office to be vigilant about possible terror attacks