Bengal Travel Mart to be organised in Siliguri soon

In a bid to attract more tourists from across the country and abroad, the State government is going to organise ‘Bengal Travel Mart’ at Hotel Mainak Complex in Siliguri from February 26-28 in which over 100 tour operators from the country and 5 international participants are expected to take part.

It is an ideal platform showcasing diverse local and regional tourism products with the participants exchanging ideas. 

A vibrant ‘Business to Business’ event will attract hundreds of exhibitors, delegates and thousands of visitors by presenting diverse range of destinations. 

As tourists get in touch with the operators and make programmes before visiting an area the main thrust of the three day conference will be “business to business” dealing to attract buyers from other states and abroad.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken special interest to promote tourism in North Bengal. Recently, she inaugurated a Safari which is the first of its kind in the 

area. Gajoldoba which had been renamed as Bhorer Alo is also coming up as major tourist spot.

Here, one can see the snow clad peaks of Kanchenjunga on a sunny day and at the same time can enjoy the forest and silently flowing Teesta River. Two budget hotels are coming up in the area and the letter of intent has been issued to the promoters.  A star hotel with all modern facilities that include 9 holed golf course, luxurious rooms, gymnasium, swimming pool, spa and banquet will also come up in the area soon.  The state tourism department has taken up an extensive scheme to revamp its tourist lodges. Detailed information about room tariff, their availability will be made public.Around 100 buyers from various states 

including Gujarat, Maharastra, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Assam will join the event while tour operators from 5 countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh have consented to participate. 

There will be around 60 exhibitors’ stall representing the varied tourism products in Bengal. Meetings will be prefixed through online networking management systems. Around 2000 business meetings will take place at the venue.

The event is a joint venture of state tourism department, North Bengal Development Department and the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA). 

The national tour operators like Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India and Adventure Tour Operators Association of India have agreed to participate the programme.

Goutam Deb, North Bengal Development Minister who held a press conference on Monday said that a lot of initiatives were taken to revamp infrastructure in North Bengal to attract more tourists. 

The state government has already handed over 24 acre of land to the Airport Authority of India to develop infrastructure of Bagdogra Airport.

“We are planning to introduce adventure tourism along the Teesta valley. Home stay facilities in North Bengal has become very popular. Many private investors are showing their interests in North Bengal,” Deb said.