Assam Tourism Development Corporation or ATDC () is a state owned corporation of Assam, India. It deals with tourism services and development as a part of the Assam Tourism Department along with the Directorate of Tourism. The State Govt. of Assam set up the corporation on 9 June 1988.As per notified in Tourism Policy 1987 The ATDC is headquartered at Guwahati () and has district offices across Assam. Its official slogan is "Awesome Assam."
Chairpersons
List of Chairpersons of Assam Tourism Development CorporationNamePortraitChief Minister Appointment dateRetirement dateShri Bhrigu Kr. PhukanPrafulla Kumar Mahanta24 December 198827 January 1990Shri Girindra Kr. BaruahPrafulla Kumar Mahanta27 January 199027 November 1990Shri L.P. Gupta, IASHiteswar Saikia3 April 19916 September 1991Mrs. Syeda Anwara TaimurHiteswar Saikia6 September 19914 June 1993Shri Prafulla Kr. MahantaPrafulla Kumar Mahanta28 March 199619 December 1998Shri Jagadish Ch. BhuyanPrafulla Kumar Mahanta19 December 199820 April 2001Dr. Surajit Mitra, IASTarun Gogoi20 April 200124 April 2002Smti Emily Choudhury, IASTarun Gogoi24 April 200212 August 2002Smti Ajanta NeogTarun Gogoi12 August 200230 September 2003Shri Ajit SinghTarun Gogoi30 September 200310 March 2006Dr. (Mrs.) Hemo Prabha SaikiaTarun Gogoi10 March 20063 August 2016Shri V.S.Bhaskar, IASSarbananda Sonowal3 August 201614 May 2017Shri Jayanta Malla BaruahSarbananda Sonowal14 May 2017 8 March 2021Shri Rituparna BaruahHimanta Biswa Sarma8 November 2021Incumbent
History of tourism in Assam Once, this northeastern state of India was known as Pragjyotishpura, then Kamrupa. During Ahom rule the land was called Axom, which foreigners pronounced "Assam". Assam was ruled by many kingdoms from ancient times. In 1826, British took over Assam and made it a separate state. From ancient times, tourists have come to this land. The Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited Kamrupa during Bhaskarvarman in the 7th century.
In 1958, the Department of Tourism was established. In 1962, an information office opened in Kaziranga, and in 1965, an information office opened in Sivasagar.
In 1987 (during the seventh Five Year Plan), the first ever tourism policy of Assam was notified and subsequently ATDC was formed with a paid up capital of 2.4 million Indian rupees. In the same year the state government declared tourism as an industry.
In the mid-70s, Assam tourism started properties near Kaziranga and other places such as Aranya, Banani, Banashree, MV and Jolporee. After the creation of ATDC, some of them were handed over to ATDC to operate. From the beginning, ATDC created many tourist lodges, yatriniwas, parks, and wayside amenities with the brand name of "Prashaanti". In 2009, a "tourist arrival cum reception center" was opened in Guwahati, which is presently known as "Asom Paryatan Bhawan". In 2012, ATDC started a luxury cruise, MV Mahabaahu, in a joint venture.
In 1995 the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) from Assam was withdrawn which had been imposed in 1962 after the Sino-Indian War.
Properties Assam tourism has more than 50 properties including lodges, wayside amenities, restaurants, parks, rope ways, amusement parks, and cruises in locations across Assam. Out of these, the Directorate of Tourism runs eight lodges. ATDC operates directly seven lodges, and other properties are on lease to private parties.
Properties near Kaziranga National Park of Golaghat and Nagaon districts include: Aranya Tourist Lodge Kaziranga Tourist Lodge (Banani, Bonoshree, Kunjabon under DOT) Jupurighar camping site Jonaki Kareng (reception center) Prashaanti Cottage Rhinorica (wayside amenity) GL Resort, Jakhalabanda (wayside amenity) Triptir Ehaj, Amoni (wayside amenity) Tanz Water Sports (Kaliabhumora Recreational Park) Down Town Resort Samaguri Lake Tourism Project
Prashaanti Lodges and tourist complexes of other places include: Barpeta Barpeta Road Bhalukpong Digboi Golaghat Goramur, Majuli Guwahati Kamakhya Nalbari Pobitara Silchar Sivasagar (DOT) Tezpur Tinsukia
More than 15 parks and restaurants across Assam run under ATDC on lease.
Red River Tours & Travels is its travel wing, which operates customized and conducted tours, such as Kaziranga tours, city tours, and pilgrimage tours.
See also Tourism in Assam Tourism in Kaziranga National Park
References
External links Assam in Wikivoyage Assam Tourism, official website Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited