World Tourism Day 2016 begins

Prashant Acharya, EOI, SILIGURI, 30 Sep 2016: West Bengal tourism minister Gautam Deb has urged individuals and organisations to work together with the state government for the promotion of tourism in the state.

“I urge individuals and organisations to unite and work with the West Bengal government to promote tourism. The state government has worked tremendously since the last six years to boost tourism,” said  the minister today speaking at the inauguration of World Tourism Day 2016 at City Centre, Siliguri.

West Bengal can become an example to the world if individuals, private and government organisations and institutions all unite and work with the state government to boost tourism, he added. The World  Tourism Day event is being hosted at City Centre since the past two years not only to boost tourism but also as a fair to exchange cultures and traditions between Nepal, Bhutan and India.

The organisers of the event released ‘Chautare’, a newsletter that promotes community discussions on rural tourism. ACT and Sikkim Express have partnered to launch the newsletter.

A special seminar titled ‘Krishi Chaupal’ between rice growers from West Bengal and scientists from across India was also held at the event. The seminar discussed ways to conserve rice.

The first day of the WTD presented colorful cultural functions as well as an ethnic fashion show.

The tourism minister was the chief guest where S.R. Chowdhary (Assistant Director, Union Ministry of Tourism), Narendra Mohan (Area Officer, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway), Arjun Karki (Secretary, ACT

Himalay Orange Tourism Council, Nepal), Yogesh Pradhan (Operation Head, City Centre, Siliguri), Laxmi Kaushal Limbu (Confederation of Indian Industrialists, Head for North Bengal and Sikkim),  Dr. Joydeep Dey (Senior Neurologist Rudraksh Super Specialty Care), Sambhunath Manna (Owner/Director of Sunderban – Canning), Biswajit Saha (Owner/Director of Jaldapara Jungle Camp) were other  distinguished guests.

Raj Basu, ACT Convener, said, “We have been organising World Tourism Day in Siliguri as the place is accessible to tourists from across India. Siliguri is also near tourist destination countries such as  Nepal and Bhutan making it easier for participants from those countries to come to the venue. Tourism stakeholders from northeastern states can also travel to Siliguri to take part in the tourism event due to  its strategic location. Tourism stakeholders, businessmen and social institutions from across India can exchange views and promote tourism from this platform as well.”