September 27, 2019
Tourism festival to be held in North Bengal this winter
For the first time, the State Government will organise a tourism festival this winter in North Bengal. It will showcase the local traditions, cultures as well as offbeat destinations.The project was approved recently by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The details of the festival were outlined by the Tourism Minister. The festival will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 15 to December 21.
The first edition will be held at the offbeat destinations of Meteli, Gajoldoba (Jalpaiguri district) Rajabhatkhawa (Alipurduar district), Sitong (Darjeeling district), Pedong (Kalimpong district) and Talidighi (Dakshin Dinajpur district).
The festival will lay stress on low-cost homestays, resorts, Swiss tents as well as local art products, cultural performances, jungle safaris and travelling to various locations (at Jayanti Forest, Chilapata, Buxa Fort, etc.), bird-watching, adventure sports, activities around bonfires at campsites and of course, gastronomical experiences. The venues will host blog writers, tourism experts and celebrities during the course of the festival.
Importantly, the festival will be an eco-friendly, plastic-free event. Medical support and ambulances will also be present at the venues. Pick-ups from and drops to the local airport and railway stations will be available. Token memorabilia will also be given to the tourists.
Each venue we will have accommodation for around 125 guests, of whom 25 will be accommodated in tents and the remaining 100 in home stays, on twin-sharing basis. Guests will be charged Rs 1,250 per person per day.
The State Government has allotted a budget of around Rs 2 crores. Booking for the festival can be made online through the WBTDC website and the official portals of the districts.
