BENGAL GOVT `UNHAPPY' WITH ORGANISERS' DELAY Travel mart `loses co-passenger'

TT, 04 Jan 2019, Siliguri: State tourism minister Gautam Deb on Thursday announced the fourth edition of the Bengal Travel Mart next month but said unlike earlier editions of the event, the government would not host it and its participation would be "minimal".

BTM is the largest event hosted in the state to pro- mote Bengal as a tourist destination. In the past three BTMs, the tourism department and the North Bengal development department provided funds. The Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators' Association (EHTTOA) worked as a facilitator.

This time, the event will be held from February 5 to February 7. "When the name of our state is involved with the event, the organisers should have made preparations much ahead. But we have realised our suggestions were not followed and the preparations were not done in the right manner," said Deb.

The travel trade expressed disappointment.

"The absence of direct participation from the state's side can send a wrong message that a section of the travel trade here is not working in consonance with the state as a whole," said a senior travel professional in Siliguri.

However, Debasis Maitra, the EHTTOA president, said the BTM will be a success. "It is true there had been some delay in initiating communication with the state. We will work well in advance next time."