The pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong has already seen a tremendous negative impact on the Puja vacation season from the state, whereas there has been a tremendous response in Sri Lanka tourism, despite the terror attack in the island country in April this year.

Talking to The Statesman, Mr. Anil Punjabi, chairman of Travel Agents Federation of India (Eastern India) informed that though the Court has strictly ordered not to disturb the passengers at airport, but the peace loving Bengali people have apprehensions in their mind and there have been ongoing pre-arrival visa problem which have an overall effect in cancelations of Hong Kong bookings. At this juncture, low cost carrier Indigo has announced to launch Kolkata to Hong Kong new flight services from 6 September. Dragon Air, which runs flight from Kolkata to Hong Kong has seen a dip in business to about 20 percent, despite having 180 to 200 seats in the flight.

“Some tourists have already cancelled while others have put the bookings on hold keeping an eye on the situation. Hong Kong has been a good sector for the travel agents of the state but due to the ongoing trouble, Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzen have become a hurdle for the travellers. People who love casinos go to Hong Kong only, other passengers prefer the triangular destinations,” Mr Anil Punjabi added.

Travel warnings by US, Australia, Japan is likely to compound the tourism industry’s woes further in Hong Kong. Instead of Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzen people have been preferring China and Malayasia in Far East, Dubai in middle East, while there is also good demand for Europe and UK.

This puja holiday season there has been a 40 to 50 percent growth in the Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) sector also. As both the parents and kids enjoy holidays during the puja vacations, people find it easy to visit the relatives staying in countries like USA, Canada and UK, where the environment remains very pleasant during that time.

But the most interesting fact is that the people of West Bengal are preferring the Sri Lanka tourism, which is characterised by its colonial architecture, Buddhist temples, stunning beaches, along with mesmerising destinations like Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Yala National Park etc.

“People are confident that terrorism has been wiped out from Sri Lanka and is a safe place to visit now and we have noticed a surge of about 30 to 40 percent business to the island country from Bengal already this year in the puja vacations,” he added.

Mr Anil Punjabi further said that Goa has been the biggest demand in the country followed by Rajasthan, Vaishno Devi, Dehradun, Maharastra and North East. “People of Bengal are eager to visit the New Kashmir after the withdrawl of the article 370, but at present they are having a close watch on the current situation in the valley.

In January next year, The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) plans to host a West Bengal-Kashmir travel and tourism meet to boost travel and tourism in both the states, hoping that by that time normalcy will be fully restored back in the Switzerland of India,” informs Mr Anil Punjabi.