EHTTOA :: Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association

Capacity Bilding for Service Providers - 08-09-06 to 12-09-06 (See Photo Gallery)

EHTTOA in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (Govt. of India) organised a capacity building program for service providers in Siliguri and Lataguri (Dooars) between 8th and 12 of September 2006. In Siliguri the program was organised at the NAC Meeting Hall of Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad where on 8th September Travel related Front Office/Information Desk staffs from Travel Agencies, Tour Operators, Hotels, Resorts, Lodges, Information desks of other Govt./Non Govt. Agencies etc were trained. On 9th September training was given to Taxi, Auto Rickshaw, Cycle Rickshaw Drivers/Pullers, Porters etc. On 10th September the training was meant for the Self Help Groups with handicrafts/ handlooms/ preserved foods/ gift item producers who directly sale their products to Tourists. The Dooars part of the program was held at Garumara Nature Interpretation Centre, Lataguri. On 11th September travel related Front Office/Information Desk staffs from Travel Agencies, Tour Operators, Hotels, Resorts, Lodges etc, Information desks of other Govt./Non Govt. Agencies etc participated in the program and on 12th September Taxi Drivers, local Guides, local Artisans, Rickshaw pullers, Forest Counters and Check-post staffs, handicrafts/handlooms/preserved foods/gift item producers who directly sale their products to Tourists etc took part.

The workshops were divided in Pre and Post Lunch sessions from 09am to 04pm. More than 500 people participated in the training program. Eminent experts from different fields related to tourism acted as faculty. The program was a resounding success.

FAM trip to Malda - 02-09-06 (See Photo Gallery)

EHTTOA has decided to actively promote Malda as a favoured destination for tourists from Bengal and outside.

In this connection a group of EHTTOA members visited Malda on 2nd and 3rd of September, 2006. The members attended a seminar on Malda – A destination of Heritage Tourism on the 2nd of September, On the 3rd the delegation visited different places of tourist interest ,like gaur and Adina and also interacted with government officials, Chamber of commerce and other stakeholders .

The team returned back on the 3rd of Septemper 2006 making plans to incorporate malda as Tourism destination in there respective itineraries.

Biennial General meeting of the Association held - 16-07-06 (See Photo Gallery)

The biennial General meeting of the Association was held on 16th July 2006 at Hotel Dolly Inn in Siliguri. The members of the Association as well as representative of trade and industry were present. General Secretary and President of Focin were also present on the occasion as observers. Mr. Samrat Sanyal presented the secretarial report and Mr. Santanu Chowdhury presented the Treasurers report during the meeting. A new Executive Committee of the association was selected unanimously by the members for the coming two years.
The meeting ended with dinner and cocktail party.
See detailed proceedings of the meeting

EHTTOA launched website

Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators Association (EHTTOA), affiliated to FOCIN, has successfully launched its official website www.easternhimalaya.org on 27^th April, 2005 at the conference hall of the Hill Cart Road Byabasayee Samiti, Hill Cart Road, Siliguri.

Hon’ble Deputy Mayor, Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Munsi Nurul Islam has inaugurated the website in presence of the Honorary General Secretary, FOCIN, Mr. Biswajit Das, Chairman, 2 No. Borough Committe, SMC, Mr. Jayanta Moulick. The innauguration program has followed by a press conference and a small get together.

The website contains information about the region and supports tourist feedback and tourist complain sections. The association will take up any complaints received about travel to the region with the concerned authorities.

EHTTOA expects the website to help develop a more conducive environment for tourism in the region and help the tourists have a better travel experience.