Nepal off Durga Puja vacation plans, trips go for a toss while Kolkata tour operators scramble for alternatives

Travel agencies say the timing could not have been worse. “We had around 40 people travelling to Nepal during this Durga Puja — one group and some customised departures. People are sceptical about going at this moment, so we are giving them alternatives,” said Riddhi Roy of Dolphin Travels.

Roy adds, “It becomes difficult to arrange now as agencies are already full. People are mentally prepared to go out. So those who have passports, we are rearranging the tours to Bhutan or Thailand, and within India, to Arunachal or Dooars in North Bengal.”

Options, however, are shrinking fast. In April, there was a terror attack in Pahalgam, then natural calamities in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. “Slowly, travel-friendly options for Bengalis are reducing because of political disturbances and natural calamities,” said Soumitra Kundu of Kundu Travels. “People go on holidays for peace and tranquillity, no one wants to be harassed,” Kundu added.

For travel agencies, one of the biggest concerns now is refunds from airlines and hotels in Nepal. With the festive season in full swing, they say uncertainty over reimbursements could add to the strain.

The cancellations have hit families hard. Anita Bagchi, who had planned her first trip in four years with her husband after the birth of their child, said, “We had booked tickets and hotels online. There is no chance of going to Nepal now, but we don’t know if we will be refunded. It is a lot of money. This year, we will not make any other plan.”

Anil Punjabi of Ares Travels Pvt Ltd, and a member of the Travel Agents Federation of India, said his agency had between 100-150 Nepal bookings until the first week of September. Punjabi said, “With the sudden violence, all bookings had to be cancelled. This is the only time when schools, colleges and offices are shut together, so families travel. Now alternatives are being provided, but prices are nearly two-fold, which will hit budgets. For us, safety is most important. We are advising clients to pick destinations where they have relatives, in case they get stranded.”

For last-minute travellers, the disappointment is sharper. Reshmi Das, a resident of Alipore, said, “I don’t have a passport. This trip was a sudden plan since I am getting five days off, so I thought I would take my parents. With Nepal cancelled, the alternatives are very expensive. I think I will skip going anywhere this year. I will try to watch the situation.”

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