The Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network (HHTDN), an apex body of tourism stakeholders in north Bengal, conducted a workshop as well as a camp for people associated with the industry in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts so that they can enroll themselves with the Bengal tourism department.

The event was held at Dooars Kanya, the district collectorate in Alipurduar town, in association with the department and the district administration.

“We are encouraging all stakeholders, ranging from tour operators to hoteliers to transporters to guides, to register themselves with the state tourism department. This will help tourists to select their service providers ahead or during their trips with confidence, The details of all such registered stakeholders will be there on the website of the department,” said R. Bimala, the district magistrate of Alipurduar.

Sources said the department is insisting on registration to ensure that tourists get quality service as they move into any destination of the state.

“We have come across complaints from tourists where it was mentioned that they have been cheated by service providers or excess money was demanded from them, as compared to the quality of services. In many cases, it was tough to locate such service providers. Once a stakeholder gets registered with the department, he can be tracked and in case of any complaint, steps can be taken,” said an official.

On Friday, around 40 stakeholders providing different services to tourists in these two districts, registered themselves with the department.

Samrat Sanyal, the general secretary of HHTDN, said they also organized a workshop to apprise the stakeholders as to how they can register themselves with the state
tourism department.

“They will also get recognition from the department which they can use to draw more tourists. Further, they will have the option to join different training programmes and events where they can learn more about the industry and its various aspects,”
said Sanyal.

Bangla ban

Hoteliers based in the Alipurduar district have decided not to provide accommodation to any Bangladeshi national in protest of the ongoing situation in the country and the atrocities on Hindus and other minority communities.

“The people in Bangladesh have insulted our National Flag. Also, Hindus are atrocities every day in the country. That is why, we have decided that from today, we will not allow any Bangladeshi national to check in to any of the hotels across the district,” said Pawan Kumar Purohit, secretary, Alipurduar district Hotel & Resort Owners Association.

Hoteliers of Malda and Siliguri made such announcements earlier.

“We will reconsider our decision only after the situation improves in Bangladesh,” he added.

Sources in the association said only if any Bangladeshi national, who is a patient and has come for treatment or a student who has come for studies, seeks accommodation in any hotel in the district, the concerned hotel owner can allow them to stay.