At the instance of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), National Body of Domestic Tour Operators in conjunction with North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEFDi) organized a "TOUR OPERATORS MEET" in Guwahati/Shillong on 7th to 10th July 2011.

The Ministry had designed the programme to have a B2B meeting between stakeholders/Service Providers of North Eastern Region and ADTOI Tour Operator members as buyers to promote North Eastern Region through interactive sessions.

ADTOI delegation comprising of 32 Tour Operator members, 4 media flew to Guwahati on 7th July 2011 for the Meet. NEFDi had made arrangements for the stay of the delegates in Greenwood Resort and the B2B meeting on 8th July at NEDFI House in Guwahati. There was participation by North Eastern States, service providers and other stakeholders from North Eastern Region. The Meet was inaugurated by Smt. L.S. Changsan, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary (Tourism), Govt. of Assam. Mr. B. Paul Muktieh, Chairman, NEDFi in his welcome address appreciated ADTOI's role in the promotion of Tourism in the country and appealed to all members to bring North East on the Tourist circuit with their concerted efforts to boost tourism. Among other officials present were, Ms. Deepa Laskhar, Regional Director, Ministry of Tourism, Mr. P.K. Dong, Tourism Consultant, Mr. Tridip Sharma, President, Tour Operators Association of Assam (TOAA).

Mr. Subhash Verma, President, ADTOI while thanking Ministry of DoNER and NEDFi and other agencies involved in making this Meet stated that ADTOI has come to Guwahati and Shillong with a special mission to have face to face interaction with all stakeholders in the region and to have a better understanding of the region and the people engaged in the tourism business. To highlight the activities of ADTOI he gave a brief presentation of ADTOI activities and how it helps promoting domestic tourism to all regions through its various initiatives.

After the presentation there was interactive session of the Sellers/Buyers with the officials of ADTOI, Ministry of Tourism and the Consultant. Mr. Rajat Sawhney, General Secretary replied to various queries including opening of State Chapter in NE Region and the role being played by ADTOI as a Nodal agency for promotion of Domestic Tourism. The session was very informative and interesting.

On 8th Evening Brahamaputra Cruise Pvt. Ltd. arranged an evening for ADTOI delegation and others on their Cruise in river Brahamaputra followed by dinner

After a successful conclusion of Tour Operators Meet and B2B meeting at Guwahati ADTOI delegation left for Shillong on 9th July. The delegation visited Cherapunji on their way where lunch was hosted by Cherapunji Resort. In Shillong delegation stayed at Hotel Pinewood. Meghalaya Tourism had arranged for a B2B meeting jointly with the Confederation of Tourism Industry of Meghalaya in association with the State Govt. The meet was addressed by Secretary (Tourism) Ms. L. Kharkongor. In her address to the stakeholders she showcased the potential of the State in Tourism Sector with the indication that tourism will become an industry employing more people than any other industry in the years to come. The state Govt. is keen on cashing the opportunity.

Mr. E.M. Blah, President, CTIM in his concluding remarks informed the participation that the Federation will make necessary arrangements to collaborate with the National Body of Domestic Tour Operators in the days to come. The ADTOI delegation also visited Don Bosco Museum, Shillong on 10th July 2011. The delegation left for Guwahati on 10th July on their way to Delhi. Brahmaputra Jungle Resort, Guwahati hosted lunch in Guwahati before the delegation left for Delhi. The delegation left Guwahati on a happy note with sweet memories. .

Few photographs taken on the occasion is enclosed for your kind persual