Charkhola spreading its village tourism roots

Tourists looking for a quiet vacation in the hills can start packing right away.

At a time when newer destinations like Lava and Loleygaon are choking on concrete, Charkhola, a quiet nondescript hamlet 40km from Kalimpong and 68km from here, is where village tourism is spreading roots.

In fact, the new name on the tourism itinerary has arrived with a bang by winning an award at the recently concluded Travel and Tourism Fair in Calcutta. Charkhola was adjudged the best promising new destination at the three-day meet that ended on August 20.

“Charkola holds a tremendous potential for tourism,” said Suddhabrata Deb, head of strategic planning for Desh Duniya Asian Club Network, which is promoting the destination.

Deb said the village, besides providing a breathtaking view of the snow-clad mountains, including Kanchenjunga, is home to some rare hill birds. “For the bird-watchers the serene village will be an ideal haven.”

Though bad roads are a problem, Gautam Chakraborty, the proprietor of the sole resort at Charkhola feels it will not put off tourists.

“The approach roads are a problem as large parts have not yet been metaled. But that has not stopped most of our eight cottages from being booked for the Pujas,” he said. “The response has been enormous. We are now networking with villagers so that we can introduce the concept of home-stay here. The idea is not just to promote the resort, but the village as a whole.”

Source: The Telegraph