March 4, 2020 TnH Global

Bengal goes strong in tea tourism

Tea tourism has gained momentum in Bengal but the state is lagging behind in generation of revenue from the tourism sector.

Swaati Chaudhury

At a time when tea tourism is growing fast in West Bengal, there are a plethora of options for those interested to opt for tea tours in Darjeeling Hills and Dooars. There are educational tours of tea gardens on offer along with homestay facilities and village walks. Along with tea tourism in Bengal, medical tourism has also come of age in Kolkata.

Manav Soni, Chairman, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI)- Eastern Region, said, “Travellers can have a glimpse of tea plantation sites, pluck tea leaves, experience tea processing, go for tea testing and sample different qualities of tea. For those interested can get in touch with any travel association and avail of a seven-day tour of tea gardens. Travel business is growing in West Bengal and the state is into generating plethora of business in the tourism vertical. When it comes to generating revenue, the state has taken a backseat since a chunk of the revenue goes to other zones. Most of flight and railway ticket bookings are carried out by travel portals that are based out in Western or Southern zones. It is high time that Bengal travellers approach regional travel portals for ticket bookings and reservation of hotels that will help in generating revenue in the state.” Soni was speaking at TTF Summer that kicked off in Kolkata sometime from February 21 to 23.

There are 23 regular global flights touching Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Soni further said, “The tourist getaways in the state need to be highlighted well. With a view to enhance the domestic tourist destinations, the West Bengal government has to work in close association with all tourism bodies like TAAI, TAFI, TAAB, SKAL International, IATO and ADTOI.”