30/06/2026
On 30 June, the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, organized a one-day conference on the theme "Tourism for All" at Aurum RJ Resorts, Siliguri.
Representatives of the Kalimpong District Tourism Welfare Society (KDTWS) and several homestay owners from Kalimpong were invited to participate in the conference. The KDTWS delegation was led by its President, Mr. Rajeeb Sahee.
The conference provided an excellent platform for interaction and discussion with the Minister-in-Charge of Tourism, Dr. Shankar Ghosh. During his address, the Minister emphasized the importance of developing the tourism sector across North Bengal, including the districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. He reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to promoting sustainable tourism and invited valuable suggestions from tourism stakeholders to strengthen the sector.
The MIC also addressed the need to conduct district-wise training programs for tourism stakeholders. The training should focus on waste management, hygiene, balanced nutrition, ecological conservation, the development of new tourist destinations to reduce tourist pressure on existing sites, and the improvement of tourism infrastructure to ensure sustainable and responsible tourism.
The Tourism Secretary of West Bengal also addressed the gathering and announced that the permissible number of rooms in registered homestays has been increased from six to eight. He further spoke about the issue of homestay leasing, acknowledging the concerns raised by stakeholders and assuring that the Government is considering appropriate measures and that a positive decision is expected soon.
During the interactive session, KDTWS General Secretary, Dr. Norden Michael Lepcha, highlighted the major concerns of the tourism industry in Kalimpong. He strongly urged the Government to take immediate steps to stop the illegal leasing of homestays, which has adversely affected genuine homestay owners. He also emphasized the urgent need to improve tourism infrastructure in Kalimpong, including better roads, public facilities, and other essential amenities, to attract more domestic and international tourists.
At the conclusion of the conference, the KDTWS delegation met personally with the Minister-in-Charge of Tourism and submitted a memorandum outlining the key issues and challenges faced by the tourism sector in Kalimpong District. The memorandum also proposed several recommendations for strengthening tourism infrastructure and promoting sustainable tourism development in the region.
The conference concluded with a renewed sense of cooperation between the Government and tourism stakeholders, fostering hope for meaningful initiatives that will contribute to the long-term growth and prosperity of tourism in North Bengal.
