Three-day tourism event to focus on homestays, toy train

The Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT), a north Bengal-based organisation has lined up events for three days from Saturday to culminate on World Tourism Day, September 27.

These include a meet of homestay owners, an organic “haat” and a ceremony at Siliguri Town station, one of the oldest stations of the region that had been the terminus of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train for decades. 

“The Covid-19 pandemic had a massive socio-economic impact on tourism. We have designed the events to bolster the confidence of people like homestay owners, popularise organic items and highlight the toy train,” said Raj Basu, ACT convener.

According to him, Saturday will see the Homestay Congress at Mainak Tourist Lodge. Former footballer and ACT’s ambassador Bhaichung Bhutia will be present.

“He will tell participants on how we are trying to transform his native village (in Sikkim) and some villages in the hills and foothills. The idea is to promote sustainable rural tourism,” said Basu. Experts will also address issues that homestay owners face.

On Sunday, the ACT will celebrate “Himalayan Organic Day” with a “haat” on Church Road. “Organic farmers from Siliguri and Sikkim will join the event with their produce. There will be an exhibition of rural handicraft and handloom products of this region, information booths on rural travel and more,” said Sanjukta A. Bose, an ACT member.

On World Tourism Day, the ACT will host an event at the old platform of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) at the Siliguri Town station.

“The station needs a revamp. People visiting the region should have the option to visit the station and learn about DHR’s history,” Basu said.