THE EARTHQUAKE which ripped through parts of Nepal, Bhutan, and the North-east Indian territories of Sikkim and north Bengal last Sunday has halted the flow of tourists that was expected to descend upon the Himalayan region during the Durga Puja and Deepawali festivals in September and October.
The transportation routes linking the low-lying areas to the hills were damaged during the earthquake, forcing access roads to two major tourist destinations in Sikkim – Lachung and Yumthang – to be closed.
K. Goswami, manager tours of Kolkata-based Travelcorp, said: “Many tourists are cancelling their holiday plans in expectation of an aftershock or recurrence of the quake.”
According to a spokesperson from Mayfair Hotels and Resorts, a 120-pax incentive group from Mumbai cancelled their proposed weeklong trip to Gangtok, the state capital of Sikkim.
Pintso Gyatso, managing director of Greenwheels, a tour operator in Gangtok, said: “Many areas have been badly affected. We will do everything we can to bring the tourists back soon to Sikkim.”
Meanwhile, tourism in neighbouring Bhutan seems to be operating normally. Chencho Dorji, executive marketing officer of Bhutan Zhabdu Tours and Travels, said: “Flights to Bhutan remain unaffected, and we are operating our buses and off-road 4WD vehicles as usual.”
The Durga Puja holidays begin next week. This is the peak travel period for thousands of holidaymakers from the region, as most schools and colleges are closed for at least three weeks, while offices are shut for five working days.
