বাংলায় পড়ুন
Ahead of the summer vacation, West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation opened most of the tourist lodges for booking by prospective tourists. Bookings for almost all of those had been halted for renovation work.
Sources in the tourism department said that bookings have been opened till August this year and depending on the situation government will take a call about what would be done after that. The government not only intends to attract tourists but also aims at increasing employment opportunity in this sector. Looking at that, besides renovating the usual popular spots, a number of newer places have been explored to promote those as popular tourist destinations.
Officials in the state government have been given strict instructions to ensure that the tourist lodges are maintained in a professional manner and that no lackadaisical attitude in this regard would be tolerated. Visitors convenience and comfort are to be given top priority.
In order to ensure three-star service in all the government-maintained lodges, bookings to many of those had been stopped to upgrade the infrastructure. Sources said that barring a few of the 30 lodges under the department, bookings to most of them have been opened. Some of the hot favourites so far had been Darjeeling, Jaldapara, Shantiniketan, Tarakeswar, Behrampore, Jhargram and Maithan. Bookings at lodges in Malbazar, Malancha, Durgapur, Murti, Bishnupur and Digha have still not begun. Officials said that these lodges needed to be upgraded to give standard services and would be thrown open once those were ready. “Tourists will love the new look of the lodges and the kind of services they get at these places,” an official said.
It was found out that the lodges which are open for bookings are fast filling for the months of March and April.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had proactively stepped up on the development of the tourism sector of the state and officials have been instructed to see that along with cleanliness visitors also get quality food at an affordable price. Workers of the lodges are being trained to deliver service in a professional manner, on a par with any other five-star hotel. It has also been ensured that bookings done online are smooth and free from any technical glitches.
