The Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA) has decided to promote cross-border tourism and adventure tourism in eastern India.
The decision was made at the biennial meeting of the association in Kalimpong on Saturday.
“Our association is working to promote tourism in Bengal, Sikkim and as a whole in the Northeast. We have decided to promote cross-border tourism as our state, especially north Bengal, shares borders with Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh,” said Debasish Chakraborty, the newly elected general secretary of the association.
He said the footfall of tourists from Bangladesh had increased in north Bengal in the past few years.
The Centre had lifted the restriction on the entry of Bangladeshi nationals to the Himalayan state of Sikkim in 2018. On the other hand, the introduction of Mitali Express which connects New Jalpaiguri with Dhaka Cantonment has encouraged more and more Bangladeshis to visit north Bengal and Sikkim.
“We will take the initiative to ensure that more tourists from Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan visit our region. Also, our association will meet authorities concerned to facilitate the introduction of flights to Dhaka and Kathmandu from Bagdogra,” Chakraborty said.
At the meeting, the EHTTOA formed 13 new sub-committees which will work on different aspects of the tourism sector.
“We have got Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, a trained instructor of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling, with us. He will look after the sub-committee that has been formed to promote adventure tourism. Hundreds of tourists, particularly youngsters, visit this region to enjoy adventure sports. Our association will explore all options to encourage adventure tourism which will eventually augment the footfall of tourists,” Suresh Thakuri, the new president of the EHTTOA, said.
Sherpa is also the chief coordinator of the tourism department of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.
The association has formed separate committees, like the Calcutta chapter, which will work in the state capital for the industry.
