The 3rd Khangchendzonga International Tourism Conclave was successfully held in Gangtok, Sikkim on 12th and 13th September 2025, jointly organized by the Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA) and the Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim.
The conclave was inaugurated on 12th September by Shri Tshering Thendup Bhutia, Hon’ble Minister, Tourism & Civil Aviation and Commerce & Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, as the Chief Guest, along with senior dignitaries including Shri Sudesh Kumar Subba, MLA cum Advisor , Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Shri.C S Rao IFS, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Shri.Lukendra Rasaily, Chairman STDC, Shri.Sonam Norgay Lachungpa, Chairman, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Ms.Hondala Gyaltsen, Secretary Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Dr.Gurdaman Sharma Vice Chancellor SRM University,Shri.Anil Oraw former regional Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, senior officers from Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, executive members of EHTTOA,and prominent Tourism stakeholders of sikkim and other parts of the country.
Bringing together participants from across the Eastern Himalayas, the conclave featured active representation from the Tourism stakeholders of West Bengal, Bhutan Tourism Board, and hospitality partners Udaan Hotels & Resorts and Sumi Yashshree Hotels & Resorts, with support from Incredible India.
The two-day event included inaugural addresses, cultural presentations, and expert technical sessions focusing on sustainable, community-based, and rural tourism. A keynote session titled the “Journey of EHTTOA”, cum welcome address by Shri Suresh Thakuri, President of EHTTOA, and stakeholder presentations from Bhutan, West Bengal and Sikkim Tourism, address of Hon’ble Minister, Hon’ble MLA cum Advisor and Additional Chief Secretary marked key moments of Day 1.
A significant session on sustainable tourism in the Eastern Himalayas was moderated by Shri Debasish Chakraborty, General Secretary, EHTTOA, with valuable insights shared by Dr. Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, Shri Manash Ranjan Banerjee (The Statesman), Shri Avijit Sinha (The Telegraph), Shri Anil Oraw (Retd. Regional Director, India Tourism), and Shri Robin Basnet,Yang Gang community tourism Development representative.
The online registration portal for Bengal Travel Mart (BTM) 2026 scheduled for 9th–11th January 2026 was officially launched by the Hon’ble Minister, setting the stage for early engagement.
Day 2- was dedicated to B2B (Business-to-Business) networking, providing an effective platform for Sikkim’s tourism stakeholders, local operators, homestays, and hospitality players to connect with buyers, tour operators, and international delegates, paving the way for new business collaborations and market expansion.
The conclave gave special attention to rural tourism promotion in destinations like Yuksom, Uttarey, Soreng, and Namchi, reinforcing the state’s mission to empower communities through tourism.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Sandipan Ghosh, Advisor, EHTTOA, and reiterated Sikkim’s goal to welcome over 20 lakh tourists by the end of 2025, positioning the Eastern Himalayas as a premier global destination as mentioned by Additional Chief Secretary of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Government of Sikkim.
