Tourism body floated

TT, Siliguri: Stakeholders of tourism industry in north Bengal and Sikkim floated a new organisation in Siliguri on Saturday that would work for improvement of the sector, promote tourism as a means of livelihood and initiate moves to resolve issues pertaining to the industry.

The Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network (HHTDN) is a conglomeration of different stakeholders, like tour operators, hoteliers, transporters, homestay owners, travel writers, bloggers, guides and other who are directly or indirectly involved with the industry.

"This part of Bengal has always attracted tourists from across the country and abroad. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been showing her keenness for development of tourism in the region. Such initiative for promotion of tourism activities is always a welcome step that will contribute for betterment of the indus- try," said state tourism minister Gautam Deb.

Raj Basu, convenor of the HHTDN, said: "Along with tourism promotion, we intend to rope in all concern agencies and persons who are working for the industry across the Hi- malayan region. Tourism has been proved to be a major tool for generation of livelihood and for sustainable development in this region. The network will also work for conservation of culture, nature and historical resources."