# Assam Tourism Development Corporation

Assam Tourism Development Corporation or ATDC (Assamese: অসম পৰ্যটন উন্নয়ন নিগম) 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. The ATDC is headquartered at Guwahati (26°10′41″N 91°44′58″E﻿ / ﻿26.1780427°N 91.7495255°E﻿ / 26.1780427; 91.7495255) and has district offices across Assam. Its official slogan is "Awesome Assam."

## List of ATDC Chairpersons

List of Chairpersons of Assam Tourism Development Corporation :
| Name | Portrait | Chief Minister | Appointment date | Retirement date |
| Shri Bhrigu Kr. Phukan | | Prafulla Kumar Mahanta | 24 December 1988 | 27 January 1990 |
| Shri Girindra Kr. Baruah | | Prafulla Kumar Mahanta | 27 January 1990 | 27 November 1990 |
| Shri L.P. Gupta, IAS | | Hiteswar Saikia | 3 April 1991 | 6 September 1991 |
| Mrs. Syeda Anwara Taimur | | Hiteswar Saikia | 6 September 1991 | 4 June 1993 |
| Shri Prafulla Kr. Mahanta | Prafulla Kumar Mahanta | Prafulla Kumar Mahanta | 28 March 1996 | 19 December 1998 |
| Shri Jagadish Ch. Bhuyan | | Prafulla Kumar Mahanta | 19 December 1998 | 20 April 2001 |
| Dr. Surajit Mitra, IAS | | Tarun Gogoi | 20 April 2001 | 24 April 2002 |
| Smti Emily Choudhury, IAS | | Tarun Gogoi | 24 April 2002 | 12 August 2002 |
| Smti Ajanta Neog | Ajanta Neog | Tarun Gogoi | 12 August 2002 | 30 September 2003 |
| Shri Ajit Singh | | Tarun Gogoi | 30 September 2003 | 10 March 2006 |
| Dr. (Mrs.) Hemo Prabha Saikia | | Tarun Gogoi | 10 March 2006 | 3 August 2016 |
| Shri V.S.Bhaskar, IAS | | Sarbananda Sonowal | 3 August 2016 | 14 May 2017 |
| Shri Jayanta Malla Baruah | Jayanta Malla Baruah | Sarbananda Sonowal | 14 May 2017 | 8 March 2021 |
| Shri Rituparna Baruah | Rituparna Baruah | Himanta Biswa Sarma | 8 November 2021 | Incumbent |

## 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 24 lakh. 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 Chinese attack.

## 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.