The Hindu Business Line : More tourism potential in Dooars seen

Kolkata May 9 The West Bengal Government plans to attract foreign tourists through promotion of wildlife and tea tourism primarily in the Dooars region.

According to Dr G.D. Gautama, Principal Secretary of West Bengal Tourism Department, the State Government has identified Dooars as a potential foreign tourist destination and has "special plans" for development of tourism in that region.

"Dooars has a huge tourism potential. We have received funds from the Government of India for infrastructure development and promotion of tea tourism in that region," Dr Gautama told Business Line.

The State Government has received Rs 13,99,43,000 from the Centre over the last 2-3 months for three tea tourism projects, which are expected to be completed in the next 18 months, Dr Gautama said.

The projects will be implemented by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC).

Wildlife tourism

The presence of a number of national parks, including Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Buxa Tiger Reserve in Dooars, would also act as catalyst to the growth of wildlife tourism in that region.

New centres

WBTDC is also planning to set up a couple of tourism centres in Kolkata and Siliguri which would act as "one stop destination" for tourism-related activities in the State. The Siliguri centre will be responsible for promotion of tourism in North Bengal.

On infrastructure front, WBTDC plans to improve roads and highways and set up "quality hotels and resorts" in Dooars.

Location advantage

Dooars has a location advantage and can be covered as a part of either Darjeeling-Sikkim tour or a trip to Kingdom of Bhutan or Assam, said Mr Manoj Saraf, Managing Committee Member of TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India) and Managing Director of Gainwell Travel.

"To attract foreign tourists, Dooars should be promoted along with Darjeeling Himalayan region," Mr Saraf said.

The annual tourist inflow to the State during 2006-07 was 1,65,25,000 tourists, comprising 1,55,00,000 domestic tourists and 10,25,000 foreign tourists.

According to Mr Saraf, Dooars accounts for nearly 10-15 per cent of tourists in eastern region.