Republic Day Long Weekend Provides Major Boost to West Bengal Tourism Sector
The first extended weekend of the year, created by Republic Day falling on a Monday, has delivered a much-needed injection of activity to West Bengal's travel and hospitality industry. Tourists from Kolkata and surrounding regions seized the opportunity for short-haul leisure trips, heading in large numbers to the state's diverse destinations—from the misty hills of Darjeeling to the cultural heart of Santiniketan and the sun-kissed beaches of Digha.
Darjeeling Experiences Encouraging Tourist Inflow
The iconic hill station of Darjeeling, often considered an emotional pilgrimage for Bengalis, witnessed a noticeable uptick in visitors. Stakeholders reported receiving around 250 tourists daily—a figure deemed significant for what is traditionally a low-season period. Samrat Sanyal, General Secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network, noted that while expectations were high due to the holiday, the consistent inflow remained a positive indicator.
"The weather is currently very pleasant in Darjeeling, which is a major positive factor. With more robust marketing and promotional initiatives, we believe tourist arrivals can see further improvement," Sanyal commented. Interestingly, off-beat destinations surrounding Darjeeling are reportedly performing even better, suggesting a growing appetite for alternative experiences.
Echoing this sentiment, Pradeep Mitra, General Manager of Club Side Tours and Travel, observed that tourism momentum has picked up after a initially sluggish off-season. "We are now receiving at least 50 tourists per day, which is a very positive sign for the sector," Mitra stated.
Tourist Motivations: Long Weekend and Favorable Conditions
For many travelers, the combination of consecutive holidays and agreeable weather proved irresistible. Priyanka Das, a tourist from Jadavpur who planned her trip around the four-day break, encapsulated a common sentiment: "Darjeeling is more than just a destination for Bengalis—it's an emotion."
Anwesha Mukherjee from Behrampore highlighted the practical appeal, citing the cool climate and relatively short travel time as key factors in choosing Darjeeling for a quick getaway.
High-Altitude and Cultural Destinations Thrive
The surge was not limited to mainstream spots. Sandakphu, the high-altitude destination in the Singalila range, experienced a dramatic turnaround. Chandan Pradhan, President of the Singalila Land Rovers' Owners Association, reported that the area is fully booked until Sunday. "Until Thursday, there were hardly any tourists. From Friday through Sunday, we are completely booked," he said. Approximately 35 vehicles departed for Sandakphu on Friday alone, with nearly 200 tourists staying in Tumling.
Meanwhile, Santiniketan has been bustling with activity. The prospect of the upcoming Palash flower bloom, combined with the five-day holiday, attracted numerous visitors. Abhijit Panja from Barasat explained his timing: "It's much quieter now compared to peak season, and that's precisely why I chose to visit." Resort owner Raja Ghosh confirmed that properties are almost fully booked, attributing the sudden influx directly to the extended Republic Day break.
Coastal Hotspots Report Near-Full Occupancy
Coastal destinations like Digha and Mandarmani mirrored this trend, reporting near-full occupancy rates, with hotels experiencing a significant surge from Saturday onwards. Bipradas Chatterjee of the Digha Hoteliers Association pointed to the town's transformation: "Digha has evolved into a year-round attraction following its beautification projects." He noted that over 800 hotels across Old and New Digha ensured ample accommodation for the influx. The Jagannath Temple also emerged as a major draw, recording heavy footfall throughout the long weekend.
Industry Perspective and Data Insights
Anil Punjabi of the Travel Agents Federation of India contextualized the surge: "This long weekend has provided a substantial boost right before exam seasons begin and travel typically slows down." Data from MakeMyTrip corroborated the trend, listing Mandarmani, Digha, Darjeeling, Goa, and Santiniketan as the top weekend destinations originating from Kolkata during this period.
This Republic Day weekend has clearly demonstrated the latent demand for domestic travel within West Bengal, offering a timely economic lift to the state's tourism and hospitality sectors and setting a hopeful tone for the coming months.
