The group in Pelling, South Sikkim. (Telegraph picture)

Siliguri, March 3: Tour operators from different parts of south India, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have concluded that the recherché hills of the region can give Kerala’s back waters a run for their money, but peace must prevail before tourism can prosper.

The group had just undertaken a “familiarisation trip” organised by Heat Flexi Holidays, a Siliguri-based tourism organisation.

“We used to sell tour packages to Sikkim and Darjeeling without knowing what the places are like,” said M.P. Joy, group head (travel), Lesconcierges Travel.

“Now, we have seen for ourselves that the places have what many top destinations of India, including Kerala, do not. Promoted properly, they will be the next big thing in the country’s tourism circuit,” said Joy.

But for that to happen, bandhs and other disruptive forms of protest should be avoided, the tour operators said. The group was forced to cancel the Darjeeling leg of the trip because of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s shutdown in the hills.

“Peace and law-and-order of a place are the most important deciding factor for anyone looking for a good holiday,” said Sneha Vartak, the head (domestic tours) of Mumbai-based Seven Star. “This is why many do not think of going to Kashmir, one of the most beautiful places on earth.”

“We are getting tour operators from other parts of the country to come here and see the places for themselves so that they are able to promote the region better,” said Deepak Gupta, the chief executive officer of Heat.

Last month, Heat organised a similar trip for 61 women tour operators from all over the country.