Siliguri, 22nd February: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista issued a press release today thanking the Tourism and Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel for tapping into the tourism potential of the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region.
In a press release, MP Bista mentioned the diverse socio-cultural heritage consisting of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserve and the pilgrimage sites the region has. Speaking on the region’s potential to emerge as one of the major tourist hubs in Asia, Bista alleged that the negligence of West Bengal government has pushed the tourism sector of the region to the brink. “There is an urgent need to rethink tourism,” Bista emphasized.
He further acknowledged the initiative of Prahlad Singh Patel for organizing the three-day long ‘Incredible India Homestay Development & Training Mega Workshop,’ with the Eastern Himalayas Travel and Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA) and IIAS.
Bista claimed that his government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is committed to transform tourism sector in the region and that these workshops will help in capacity building of people from the region, enabling them to run world class home stays.