Siliguri, 30th June: The West Bengal Tourism Department is set to take a major initiative to prevent tourists from falling victim to fraudulent travel agencies while visiting different parts of the state. The department plans to launch a dedicated mobile app and website to ensure safe and reliable services for tourists.
A key meeting was held in Siliguri on Tuesday, organised by the Tourism Department, with participation from hotel owners, travel operators, homestay owners, and representatives of tourism-related organisations. Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, and senior officials of the department were also present.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on various issues, demands, and future development plans related to the tourism industry.
The Tourism Minister stated that a special app will soon be launched, which will contain information on all registered travel agencies in the state. Tourists will also be able to access verified details of tourist destinations, hotels, and travel packages, and make bookings directly through the platform. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce cases of fraud by fake travel agencies.
The Minister also issued a strict warning regarding homestay operations, stating that businesses cannot operate merely by putting up a “homestay” board and must have proper government approval and documentation.
The government said the initiative aims to make the tourism sector more transparent, safe, and tourist-friendly, while also strengthening action against fraudulent practices through technology-driven services.