TravTalk India Online Magazine
In an exciting development, the Indian Railways has started two new Vistadome trains that promises to change the tourism landscape of this region. One will run between Guwahati-New Haflong and the other between NJP-Alipurduar.
Hazel Jain
The Vistadome tourist train that started in Gujarat has shown us thata destination’s appeal can leapfrog with even one single tourism product. This bodes well for the north east region as it gets two new Vistadome trains. The Indian Railways has recently started them between Guwahati and New Haflong in Assam and New Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar Junction in North Bengal. There are jungles, wildlife and tea gardens on the route between NJP and Alipurduar that will provide tourists with the opportunity to view the natural beauty of Dooars during their journey.
Nirmalya Choudhury, Chapter Chairman, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO – North East Chapter) and Director, Jungle Travels India, is already promoting the Vistadome train and destination Halflong to his clients.“The NF Railway said they may consider increasing the frequency of the Vistadome train, add more Vistadome coaches and even extend the area covered by it, if it catches on,” he says. Choudhury hopes to see the train benefit local entrepreneurs as well. “They can start quality eateries including local ethnic food, providing transport and guide services, new accommodation facilities can come up including homestays in the area,” he adds. His association, IATO, is also helping promote this product. “We have shared brochures on this and the attractions in and around New Halflong to be circulated among the entire IATO membership,” Choudhury shares.
Challenges with it
Like any new product, this too suffers from teething problems. According to Choudhury, since it is launched in an area where tourism is at a nascent stage, there is an issue. But this is also an opportunity to do things right from the start and make sure that local authorities enable and engage local people for services – good local transport services, trained drivers, high-quality accommodation facilities with focus on homestays and guesthouses, local guides, restaurants, etc.”
Another concern, flagged by SusmitaHazarika, Joint Secretary, Tour Operators Association of Assam and Co-Founder and Inbound Manager, Landmark Tours & Travels, is the five-hour layover at Halflong to allow passengers to see the sites in and around Halflong late in the evening. “Halflong is at a nascent stage of tourism development and there’s a dearth of tourism facilitators and facilities like taxis, restaurants, local guides, etc. The NF Railway should have worked with local stakeholders so that visitors receive quality services. This one train has the potential to give a great boost to local employment and development at Halflong and nearby places in the DimaHasao district of Assam. There are a few other routes within Assam that are being considered by NF Railway for similar operations,” she says.
Her company has sold more packages for day excursion and few with three-night stays. “Seats are fully booked till the first week of November!” she claims. Hazarika adds that DimaHasao can be promoted as a year-round destination. This region is a conglomeration of 13 tribal groups each with their distinct customs.
“I also feel that the five-hour layover in Haflong is too less a time to cover prominent places in a hill station even if the tourist opts for packed lunch. Moreover, the return journey is totally in the dark with no scope to enjoy the country side. It would have been better if the train is scheduled for thrice a week instead of two days a week,” she adds.
