KOLKATA: Hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators and tourists breathed a sigh of relief after the state announced tourist spots, parks, entertainment parks and zoos would open with 75% capacity from Tuesday, right before the Saraswati Puja weekend.
TOI had written on Monday how a significant number of Kolkatans have resumed travel, both to weekend destinations as well as to other parts of the country, within three weeks of the third wave reaching its peak in the state.
While doctors have cautioned against revenge travel and gatherings, many of those who recovered from Covid or Covid-like symptoms in recent weeks said they have regained confidence and started meeting at house parties or small getaways at resorts.
“The travel industry was witnessing its biggest boom post Covid when the third wave put brakes on the flurry of tourists. In a matter of weeks, resorts and hotels started staying empty as the government set more restrictions.
But the scene started getting better in the past two weeks and we are certain — with Sonajhuri haat also set to open — that tourists will start flooding Bolpur and Santiniketan in a few days,” said Chandranath Banerjee, chief advisor of Bolpur Shantiniketan Hoteliers Association.
Hotel owners in Purulia were glad the relaxation came before the season of Palash when Purulia gets the most tourists. “The season of Palash is set to begin and we hope to get tourists during Saraswati Puja and Holi,” said Mohit Lata, president of Purulia Hoteliers Association.
Hotel and resort owners in Digha, Mandarmani and Tajpur hope to get back the flow of tourists from this weekend. “During this time, the hotels were open, but with the parks and museum shut and the beach barricaded, there were few tourists,” said Biprodas Chakraborty of Digha Shankarpur Hotel Owners’ Association.
Tour operator Saibal Pathak who manages nature camps in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Dooars and Sunderbans said he has received a dozen queries since Monday evening. “The current relaxations mean tourist attractions in the reserve forests and hills, like Batasia Loop, Tiger Hill and the Darjeeling zoo, can reopen. I guess we are going to have a busy time from this weekend itself,” he said.
“Once the fresh relaxations came, I didn’t waste time in booking a solo trip to Darjeeling from Tuesday and left Kolkata on Monday night,” said Gulshanara Khatun, an actor and a Ballygunge resident.
Anil Punjabi, chairman, Travel Agents Federation of India, said: “We welcome the move by the state as it has allowed resumption of tourism with the dip in infection count in the state.”
