The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has generated revenues only to the tune of Rs 2.1 crore from 29 tourism properties during the last fiscal year, prompting a rethink in its policy.
A section of the industry has also questioned the efficiency of the hill body in running tourism properties despite Darjeeling being a famed tourist hub.
Sources in the GTA stated that the tourism department generated Rs 2.1 crore during the financial year 2022-23, Rs 78 lakh during 2021-22 and Rs 30 lakh during 2020-21 financial year from 29 properties.
The properties include lodges, wayside inns and tourist points.
“In 2022-23, the Mirik boating facility generated the highest revenue of Rs 36 lakh for the department. In 2021-22, the Deolo Tourist lodge was the highest earner with Rs 17 lakh, while it was the tourist information centre at Calcutta that generated the highest revenue of Rs 7.2 lakh in 2020-21,” said the source.
The tourist information centre in Calcutta accepts booking for various GTA lodges.
Tourist points are performing relatively better than lodges, stated an official who added that the popular sunrise point Tiger Hill generated Rs 31 lakh in 2022-23.
“The figures, however, reflect a sorry state of affairs. The GTA has some of the best properties in the region but it does not seem to be performing to its potential,” said a stakeholder of tourism industry.
Sources in the GTA said that the hill body was now exploring possibilities of inviting private parties for the “operation and maintenance” of some of its properties.
“Recently, nine properties in the Sandakphu area were given to a private player for operation and maintenance. These nine properties together were generating only about Rs 8 to 9 lakh annually,” said a source. "A private player bid Rs 38.5 lakh for them."
Under the operation and maintenance model, the private party will not be able to use its logos on the property and has to promote the place as a GTA property.
“Provisions for increment after every three years have been co-opted in this new agreement,” said the source.
GTA sources said they recently started an e-ticketing system for tourist points across Darjeeling. “This way, we can keep track of the revenue generation from this place on a day-to-day basis,” the source added.
Earlier, all properties would deduct costs and deposit funds to the GTA. The hill body has now reversed the process.
“The properties have to deposit the entire funds to the GTA after which it will give them funds for their daily running,” said an official.
