'Control winter travel', demand tourism agents

Controlling the number of tourists at popular tourist destinations is one sensitive topic that really needs to be taken care of. This time, tourism agents have demanded for formulation of guideline to inform and aware tourists about the threats of high-altitude travel during the winter season, which includes altitude sickness and snowfall.
Recently, a huge number of tourists were left stranded in Sikkim due to heavy snowfall and many of them fell severely sick. This incident had an adverse effect on tourism agents, who are now demanding for a guideline that would not allow travellers to visit such places in winters. At the Bengal Travel Mart held in Siliguri, the demand for same was discussed by tourist agents.

The general secretary of Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network mentioned that to enjoy heavy snowfall, thousands of tourists travel to the high reaches of Darjeeling and Sikkim. And there have been occasions, when tourists got stuck here and were rescued by the Indian Army. He also said that recently at Sandakphu, few tourists were stranded and several fell sick because of heavy snowfall.
The agents, however, stated at the conference that thankfully there were no casualties, but travellers had to spend nights in sub-zero temperatures.

A transporter also demanded that there should be guidelines formulated for drivers too, mentioning all the dos and don’ts for them. Instead of taking the tourists at such heights, drivers must also take the responsibility of making them understand and make them aware of the risks involved.

The number of travellers and tourists had gone up in Sikkim, Darjeeling and other nearby regions because of frequent snowfall. And now travel agents feel responsible for tourists and think that travelling to hill stations shouldn’t come at the cost of someone’s life.