Debasish Maitra, the newly elected president of EHTTOA, said the association has been working since 2002 to promote tourism not only in Bengal, but also in Sikkim, the Northeast and neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh.

"We have recently signed memorandums of understanding with leading travel and trade associations in Bangladesh and Nepal. Our main objective is to promote cross-border tourism so that we can showcase the tourism potential of the region while encouraging exchanges of ideas, culture and expertise among stakeholders on both sides of the border," Maitra said after the association's 12th biennial general meeting in Siliguri
on Sunday.

The association has more than 350 members.

Sandipan Ghosh, the association's secretary, said EHTTOA had recently met Bengal's tourism minister Shankar Ghosh to discuss several issues concerning the development of the tourism sector.

"Streamlining the state's homestay policy and working towards a reciprocal transport agreement with neighbouring Sikkim are among the issues currently receiving the government's attention," he added.

The association said that maintaining a good working relationship with the Centre would help tourism stakeholders and associations participate in national tourism events. "It will help us gain greater exposure, which was lacking earlier,"
he said.

The association also announced a contribution of ₹1 lakh towards relief for the flood-hit people in Assam. The amount will be handed over through the state tourism minister and deposited in the Assam Chief Minister's Relief Fund.