Bengal is developing and strengthening tourism infrastructure, claims Tourism minister

Kolkata: In a bid to attract large number of overseas as well as domestic tourists in West Bengal, the state government has decided to lay a special emphasis on developing and strengthening its tourism infrastructure in a big way to bring it at par with the best in the world.

Announcing this at the concluding programme of 'Destination East' here on Friday, state Tourism minister Goutam Deb described Bengal as not only the most attractive but also the 'sweetest' tourist destination in India. “We are here to offer our global guests wonderful experiences and promote Bengal and its out-of-the-world locations and products,” the minister told a large gathering of tourism stakeholders, including more than 100 tours and travel operators from as many as 30 countries, including those from the USA, the UK, Russia, Australia, France, Germany, Poland and Czech Republic along with several South Asian countries.

Addressing the Special Plenary on the concluding day of the two day Tourism Summit – Destination East - organised jointly by the West Bengal Government and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at the newly built Biswa Bangla Convention Centre here, the minister said, “We are working on a plan to offer a diverse portfolio of niche products – cruises, adventure, wellness, medical and education, home-stay, eco-tourism, MICE, film, rural, and religious tourism.”

The all round development and beautification of tourist spots in and around Kolkata and some other districts also included in the Tourism Ministry’s agenda, Deb said. “We have decided to support theme-based tourism products and encourage maximum private sector participation, while ensuring standardized tourism services by all tourism players in the State,” he said.

Tourism was now the most focused sector for attracting investment and creation of jobs, the Minister said and hailed the efforts of CII as a close partner in this initiative.The tourism sector in Bengal had been growing at an unprecedented speed compared to many other states, he said and called upon all stakeholders to be a part of this glorious journey.

“As per the latest statistics, the Bengal ranks 5th among all the 29 states in terms of foreign tourist arrivals, ahead of Rajasthan, Goa,Kerala and many others, and is ranked 8th in terms of domestic tourist arrivals,” Deb informed the gathering.

He said in terms of the number of tourist footfalls in the State, West Bengal was growing at a CAGR of 26.5 per cent between FY 2011 and FY 2016, against a CAGR of 14.5 per cent between FY 2001 and FY 2010.

State tourism sector had also created around 5,00,000 jobs, the Minister said adding that West Bengal was home to almost all major hotel and hospitality chains, health resorts and restaurants, with multiplying investments in hotel infrastructure.

Among the major tourism projects undertaken by the State Government during the past six years were 'Sabuj Dweep' eco-tourism project at Hooghly, 'Bhorer Alo' eco-tourism project in Jalpaiguri and Jharkhali eco-tourism project in South 24 Parganas through PPP mode (completed), new tourism infrastructural facilities under Motijhil Tourism Destination Project, Creation of infrastructural facilities at Gangasagar, Ramganga, and Jharkhali, Development of Jhargram Rajbari Tourism Complex and development of eco-tourism facilities at Kakrajhore in West Medinipur district, Construction of Art and Craft Museum at Ghurni in Nadia, Development of 'Ajodhya Pahar' (mountain resort) and other places as major tourist destinations in Purulia, Infrastructure development work of Mega Tourism Hub at Gajoldoba, development of North Bengal Wildlife sanctuary, Ray Villa in Darjeeling, Development of Kulik Forest and Tribhumi Eco-tourism Park in Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri, Construction of State Institute of Hotel Management (SIHM) in Durgapur and Development of eco-tourism and Homestay tourism in the North Bengal.