Sporadic incidents of violence during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in different parts of Bengal which disrupted train services between north Bengal and Calcutta badly hit the tourism industry in this region.

Those associated with the travel trade were eyeing the winter season as thousands of tourists flock to the hills and the Dooars during Christmas and New Year holidays. They are, however, in despair now as cancellations have increased during the past one week, both in the hills and in Dooars.

Partha Guha, a veteran in tourism industry in north Bengal, said tourists reach the hills in the winter to enjoy the chill and experience sudden bouts of snowfall.

“The season of this year is supposed to commence from this weekend. But because of a number of reasons, we apprehend the inflow will be less. On one hand, train services have been disrupted. There are hotels in Darjeeling where around 80 per cent rooms were full till Tuesday. But since Wednesday, the hotels have almost been vacant. We also expect foreign tourists during this season but a number of countries have issued travel advisories. If the advisories are not withdrawn in a week, it would surely have an impact on the region,” said Guha.

Sources have said occupancy rate in hotels climb to over 90 per cent during the winter, particularly the last week of December and the first week of January.

The Northeast Frontier Railway said three more trains — Padatik Express, NJP-Digha Express and Haldibari-Calcutta Express — would run from Friday.

However, services of around 40 trains are yet to be restored.

“Many tourists have booked tickets much ahead. As majority of trains are not running, there is a question mark on whether they would be able to reach our region. Those taking flights, however, would be here. We are also banking on tourists who make last minute plans and if such tourists flow in, the loss can be compensated to some extent,” said Samrat Sanyal, general secretary, Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network.

Flights delayed

A dense fog across north Bengal led to delay in movement of eight flights in Bagdogra airport on Thursday morning.

Sources said the first flight from Calcutta was scheduled to land at 7.20am, but reached at 11.12am. The first flights from Chennai and Bangalore which arrive at 8.30am and 8.45am, respectively, landed at Bagdogra at 11.29am and at 11.20am. Five other flights which arrive from Bangalore, Delhi, Guwahati, Calcutta and Chennai were delayed by 30 minutes to an hour.