2nd GM, EHTTOA, Dolly Inn, Siliguri. 16th July, 2006.

Events Brief

The Presidential address (important points covered):

Fresh faces should come in the Executive body as the old body has been in place for four years.

Tourism is a very sensitive industry and is effected by political disturbances, natural calamity, connectivity and several other issues and hence should be treated specially and not at par with other industries during taxation, specially service tax.

Out of the 3.5 million tourists arriving in India, this region attracts merely one per cent of the tourists, in spite of being such a beautiful area. The most important reason is connectivity, the major cities of India are not connected with this region directly, to increase foreign tourist flow, the Bagdogra terminal has to be declared international, Satabdi express should be started connecting Kolkata to NJP.
The cost of ATF is much higher in India compared to international prices. Due to this flights to adjoining Asian countries turns out cheaper compared to our domestic flights, thereby eating away a major share of our tourism.

Whatever development that we see today in the field of tourism in this region is the result of the hard work of the members of EHTTOA. There is lack of promotion from state government.

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Secretarial Report presented by the Mr. Samrat Sanyal at the Second biennial general meeting of the association held at Hotel Dolly Inn on the 16th July 2006.

Dear Colleagues of the Travel Industry,

Let me take this opportunity to welcome you all to this Bi –Ennial GM on 16th of July 2006.
This was my second term and here I would like to thank the entire executive committee for lending full support for all the programs taken. Also, a heart of thanks to all general members for there helping hand during this last two years.
Now I would like to brief you on the detailed programs which were undertaken by the executive committee from 2004 to 2006.

  1. The EC took initiative to organize World Tourism Day in both consecutive years 2004 & 2005.

                               a) In the year 2004 it was organized in Siliguri keeping in mind the theme for      this program I would like to thank the DGHC Tourism & Hotel Golden Gate who had lent there support .Special Thanks to Mr. Kalyan Deb & Mr.Pronob Sarkar for coordinating this entire event.
                               b) In the year 2005 the entire celebration of WTD was taken to Kalimpong. A colourful event consisting of Rafting, Bike Rally, and cultural Program was organized. The program was initiative to join hand with and HORAK gave us a helping hand and was a joint event coordinated let me take this opportunity to thank DGHC Tourism again for this support. This event was coordinated under this leadership of our vice president & chairman event committee Mr Pronob Sarkar and all the general members for giving him a befitting support.

  1. Since tourism has initiated in the forest region of Dooars, there has been instance of sudden cancellation of booking of tourist in forest bungalows and also cases of sudden closure of entry to forest without prior notification.. Two agitations and submission of memorandum to the honorable Chief Minister was made through the forest officials. Agitation was held in Siliguri, before the West Bengal Tourism office and the other one before the Nature Interpretation Centre in Lataguri, Garumara National Park. Jointly with Lodge OwnersAssociation, Lataguri. The outcomes of this movement is that now    we hare a proper coordination with the Dept of Forests prior information has been given to the tour organization before the closure of forests for animal census. We want to thank the Dept of Forests for that and also wish that the next executive committee will keep up and better this coordination.

 

  1. FOCIN our Parent organization has always been our guidance since the inception in the past two years we attended various programs organized by them.
      1. Meeting on service Tax.
      2. Meeting with Railway Parliamentary Committee.
      3. Meeting with Minister of Urban Development & Municipal affairs, Govt of West Bengal, Mr Ashok Bhattacharjee.
      4. Meeting with Commissioner Income Tax.
      5. Meeting with union Commerce Minister of State, Mr Jairam Ramesh.

 

  1. Tourist harassment at NJP has always been a relenting problem

 

      1. Under the leadership of FOCIN & Deputy Director, Tourism Mr Gopal Lama a meeting was organized in NJP where the previous Minister of Tourism Govt of West Bengal Sri D.C Dakua was present. A tourist Facilitation Committee was formed. Two follow up meetings were held one with ADRM, NJP and other with Administrative Officials. But, the problem still persists and I request the next E.C to please keep up and take steps to eradicate this problem, for the betterment of tourism image of this region.
      1. The issue of overcharging by parking attendants at NJP Stations was taken up by our association under leadership of FOCIN. As a result of the unfailing efforts we have been informed by FOCIN that the N.F Railway has fined the concerned contractor substantially for failing to perform his responsibilities. Further the general harassment at NJP by parking attendants has also stopped. These add one more feather to the last of our achievements.

 

      1. In New Jalpaiguri problems occurred when operators were forced from arranging pick ups for pre-booked tourist groups, by local touts. The organization stepped forward and jointly with Hill Minibus Owners Association submitted a memorandum in Bhaktinagar P.S, and the administration assured us of non-repetition of this problem.

 

5)  Bagdogara to be upgraded as an International Airport has been a common demand of this entire region. In regards of this a meeting convened by the Airport Authority of India, Bagdogara a proposal was given to the Honorable M.P of Lok Sabha, Sri Dawa Norbula  to initiate the demand. He assured us to take up this matter in Parliament.     
                                              Further our Executive President Mr. Raj Basu also being the member of the Airport Committee voiced out several problems of the Bagdogara Airport, in his meeting with the Airport Director Mr. S.P Mody.

The issues highlighted were:
           a) International Status.
           b) Parking problem faced by Tourist during the pickup.
           c) Entry into lobby area for member tour operators.
           d) Pickup request in case of emergency and use of Restaurant for our groups.
           e) Opening of new route direct entry to civil airport after the organization initiative

Detail of the meeting has been circulated by mail on 31/06/06.

6)  We know that last year the worst natural calamity hit the World, Tsunami. The members of our organization let there helping hand and a total amount of 10,050/-             was donated to the Tsunami Relief fund through FOCIN to the Siliguri Municipal Corporation.

7)  A number of invitations came across from various parts of North Bengal, to attend Tourism Seminars and Festivals. Let me put forward of this
     
                     a) Lataguri Paryatan Utsav.
    
                    b) Dooars Utsav, Alipurduar.
      
                    C) Oodlabarie Tourism Development Committee.
      
        d) Opening of forest lodge in Mendabari.

Our members attended the different programs. This invitation is just an example of our associations recognized in different places.

8)  Incidentally this year Elections dates in West Bengal coincided with peck tourist season of this region. There was a need of transport for running the election machinery, but that let to the shortage of tourist vehicle. Immediate step was taken. A memorandum was submitted to the SDO Siliguri, informing him about the problem. Action was taken in regards to small vehicles being kept out of seizure.

  1. Our official website www.easternhimalaya.org was launched in the year 2005, with the guidance of Techno DG. We are thankful to the Deputy mayor Sri Nurul Islam for gracing the occasion and inaugurating the site. The site needs to be updated which I think the next Executive Committee will take up with priority.

 

  1. During the tourist season of May 2006 a sudden problem raised. Hotels in Darjeeling suddenly stopped accepting booking voucher of Siliguri based travel agents. Local touts in Darjeeling started demanding extra commission on Siliguri based Hotel Exchange Voucher.

                                                    The problem was addressed, the Honorable President was informed. He took immediate stapes to solve this problem and meeting with hoteliers in Darjeeling has been arranged, which I request the next E.C to address with priority.

  1. Tourists being harassed by S.S.B Officials in the Singhalla Trek Route was a common complain. A piece of evidence was brought forward, when our member Gurudongma Tours & Treks, of Kalimpong was along with British F.I.T hiking. Security personals in Gouribas manhandled them and misbehaved. The issue was immediately taken up with the S.S.B Headquarters of this region in Ranidanga and action was taken by the higher officials. The entire battalion was shifted from there.
    1. A letter of apology was handed over the guest
    1. A special word of thanks has to be given to our Association coordinator Mr. Deepak Gupta for taking leadership in this matter.

The official Logo & Registration under Society Act of West Bengal was completed during this tenure.

                                     
Once again let me thank the entire Press of this area for covering activities and agendas and making it what it is today. It would have been impossible to be at this height without their unquestionable support.
                                     
Dear friends under the guidance & help of all, I have tried my level best to carry the organization forward. But I know that there on lots of work which are incomplete. The biggest failure I would like to point out is

  1. Spreading the organization further north East.

 

  1. Stopping Tourist harassment at different arrival points & destinations.

                                         
                                            Lots remain to be done, because we have just moved an inch forward. During my tenure it may have happened unknowingly that I have offended my fellow members for which I beg an apology.
                                            In short, I like to say I have taken the best possible decision so that tourism of this area gets benefited.

This time I would like to end with a note of sadness .The recent attacks of Terrorists on Tourists in Kashmir are really great cause of concern. Our deep condolences to the near and dear ones of those who have been affected .Since past few years it has been noticed that terrorism is leaving it is impact on tourism. Tourist destinations from Indonesia to Egypt and lately Kashmir and Mumbai have been targeted. It is time that the entire tourism industry joins hands as a team to overcome this affect. Let this be our pledge today.

Thanking you all again

Samrat Sanyal

General Secretary,

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Address by Advisor Mr. Subrata Sengupta:

Continuous follow-up on any action may help to go further.
With change of government officers, we lose continuity.
It is not a healthy sign to have the association accounts running 20% deficit.
Membership fees should be collected quarterly.
Fixed venue for association for meeting on regular basis.
Feedback from website to be opened by EC members only.
Demand connectivity like Satabdi with Kolkata.

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Exec. President’s vision for the new body:

Bagdogra to be made international, which will give the East Himalaya three international terminals: Kolkata, Guwahati and Bagdogra.

Supported by Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and People’s Republic of Tibet, the South Asia Tourism Circuit to be developed with East Himalaya to represent the region for India.

Open all the existing trade routes for tourism and add new ones with single visa and single currency resolution.

Appreciation of members of the association who have internationally and nationally achieved like Shri.Suresh Periwal, Chairman of the IATO North Bengal and Sikkim chapter, Shri. Tshering Wange for receiving The International Tourism Award at Madrid and Shri Deepak Gupta receiving the Department of Tourism, Govt. of India award for his organization.

Every organization member should respect each other’s position in respect to Quotation, Human Resource and Itineraries/information.

There is an immense need to boost the Association branding by publishing quarterly newsletter, awareness campaigns by conducting road shows in nearby countries and combined services by linking each other’s strength.

Members should maintain time during attending meetings and programs.

Lobby with political parties to declare this region as a no bandh zone for travelers.

Write to Rail Minister to start with a Buddha special connecting NJP with Boudhgaya and Satabdi to Kolkata.

Help the government and the tea industry with tea tourism.

Co-ordinate with other hospitality & travel industry associations with the region.

Ecotourism should be the goal for the association.

Next meeting should be at Jalpaiguri with the SEP 27th celebration.

There should be meeting venue at Guwahati and Arunachal Pradesh.

Space for association to be discussed with the Hon’ble MIC, Tourism, WB.

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