Alipurduar, May 14 -- Tourism stakeholders in north Bengal have urged the newly formed state government to immediately restore the online safari booking system, claiming that its suspension has negatively impacted tourism and caused major inconvenience to visitors.
Jungle safaris in destinations such as Jaldapara National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve and Gorumara National Park are among the biggest attractions for domestic and foreign tourists visiting north Bengal. Every year, thousands of tourists travel to the region to experience elephant and jeep safaris. However, around one-and-a-half years ago, the online safari booking facility was suspended following state government directives.
According to tourism stakeholders, the absence of online booking has created
uncertainty among tourists, many of whom are forced to stand in long queues at booking counters. Several visitors reportedly return disappointed after failing to secure safari tickets, affecting tourist footfall in the Dooars region.
Stakeholders have also alleged that the withdrawal of the online system has led to increased tout activity in certain areas. Tourists travelling from distant states are now hesitant to visit destinations like Jaldapara and Gorumara without confirmed safari bookings in advance.
Bishwajit Saha, Secretary of the Eastern Dooars Tourism Development Association, said the lack of online booking for jeep safaris has become the main reason behind the decline in tourist numbers.
Biplab Dey, Joint Secretary of the Dooars Tourism Development Welfare Society, said: "Elephant and jeep safaris are the backbone of forest tourism in North Bengal. Tourists travelling from outside the state are often forced to stand in long queues, and many return without getting safari tickets. This is not a positive sign for the tourism sector. We urge the government to reconsider its decision and restore the online booking system immediately."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.