West Bengal: GJM protests hamper tourism industry in Darjeeling

The ongoing agitation in Darjeeling conducted by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) is hampering not only the tourism industry but the also the economy in its entirity. 

The agitation has resulted in 90% of domestic and international tourists from coming to Darjeeling. 

Local vendors are suffering due to which the economy in the region is being adversely affected. 

"Yes, the business has been affected due to the ongoing stir. There are hardly any tourists left," a shopkeeper told ANI. 

A tourist commented saying, "Everything is closed out here. It's not ideal for tourists, but we understand the sentiment of the people." 

Even local hoteliers are troubled as one of them remarked, "We are in trouble as tourists are leaving Darjeeling. The government should focus on the crisis to restore peace in the hills."

Darjeeling has been an important tourist destination since 1860 and is one of the most significant contributor to Darjeeling's economy along with the tea industry.

It is also reportedly the only location in eastern India that witnesses a large influx of foreign tourists. It has also marked its name as a popular filming destination for Bollywood and Bengali cinema. 

Known as the 'Queen of the Hills', it was the third most googled travel destination in India in 2015. 

Presently between 50,000 foreign and 500,000 domestic tourists visit Darjeeling annually, but this statistic is likely to be affected as tourists inflows have recently been affected by the political instability in the region.