Traders await recovery as Darjeeling empty of Bangladeshi tourists

Since July, following the quota reform protests and subsequent events in Bangladesh, the number of Bangladeshi tourists visiting the Indian hill station of Darjeeling has drastically declined. Not only Darjeeling, but also over 200 small and large resorts and more than 100 homestays from the Teesta River to the Sankosh River in the Dooars region remain largely vacant. This has led to significant frustration among tourism operators in Darjeeling, Dooars, and beyond, as India's tourism industry suffers from the lack of Bangladeshi visitors.

Although the situation in Bangladesh has become relatively stable, the Indian High Commission has not yet fully resumed issuing visas to Bangladeshi citizens. Currently, only those with emergency needs are being granted permission to enter India.

Darjeeling has always been a popular destination for Bangladeshi tourists. Travelers from Bangladesh can easily reach there through the Fulbari checkpoint in Siliguri, North Bengal, or the Changrabandha checkpoint in Cooch Behar. The clear autumn skies make it an ideal time to enjoy the scenic beauty of nature, especially the majestic view of Mount Kanchenjunga. Before Durga Puja, during the pre-winter mist, countless Bangladeshi tourists flock to the Dooars to witness its serene beauty. However, this year's scenario is completely different.

Recently, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, told the media, "For now, Bangladeshis are only being issued visas for medical and emergency purposes. Once the situation in Bangladesh fully stabilizes, regular operations will resume, and visa issuance will return to normal."

Tourism operators in the region are anxiously waiting for the situation to normalize so that the flow of tourists can return to pre-crisis levels.

Shivprasad Chakraborty, a tourism businessman from North Bengal, mentioned, "It has been over a month, and there are almost no Bangladeshi tourists. Last year, we had an overwhelming rush of bookings in our agency."

Speaking to Views Bangladesh's Indian correspondent, Alok Chettri, a hotel owner in Darjeeling, said, "Before Durga Puja, Bangladeshi tourists flock to Darjeeling, and the place is buzzing with activity. But now, we are not receiving any bookings from the country."

"Just as the flow of Bangladeshi tourists stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic, the unrest in Bangladesh over the past few months has brought us back to a similar situation. Tourism plays a vital role in the economy of the northern districts of West Bengal, and it’s undeniable that the absence of large numbers of Bangladeshi tourists has had a significant impact," he added.