The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) started a three-day fest in Sittong of Kurseong sub-division on Saturday to promote rural tourism and homestay facilities across the hills.

Named the Darjeeling Ecotourism and Cultural Festival, the event was flagged off at Ahaldara, a village under Sittong-III panchayat, some 50km from Siliguri. Anit Thapa, the chief executive of the GTA, inaugurated the fest.

“The inflow of tourists is steady now as after 2017 (when Gorkhaland agitation sparked across the hills and strike was observed for over 100 days), peace has been restored in the hills. It is also because of the idyllic landscape and abundant natural resources that tourists are pouring here in large numbers. Even during winters, hundreds are visiting the hills while braving the cold,” said Thapa at the inaugural function.

Sittong, which is dotted by orange orchards, has steadily gained popularity as a tourist location for homestays.

“In recent years, tourists are visiting Sittong and similar hilly hamlets where homestay accommodations have come up. It is a new trend among tourists to stay in offbeat places instead of the usual destinations. They are enjoying the serene nature and local traditional cuisine while exploring the hills,” said a travel house owner in Siliguri.

Thapa said that the regular inflow of tourists in homestays prompted GTA to take up infrastructural development works.

“We are taking up projects to provide basic amenities like road connectivity, water supply and electricity in areas where homestays have come up. This will help tourism flourish in the hills,” he said.

Ahaldara, locals said, is known for its location. Along with breathtaking views of the mountains and lush green nature, it is also a paradise for birdwatchers and ornithologists.

As of now, around 60 homestay accommodations have come up in the area and provide livelihood to over 300 people.

The focus of the three-day fest is handicraft, local cuisine and culture, one of the organisers said.

“Our main objective is to organise this event to promote rural tourism and to make people aware that apart from Darjeeling, there are so many other attractive spots across the hills,” Norden Sherpa, the executive member (Tourism) of GTA, said.