Public funding in tourism goes up from 35 cr to 400 cr in Bengal

Public funding in the tourism sector has gone up from Rs 35 crore to Rs 400 crore in West Bengal in the past six years, and that itself is a huge development opportunity,” said Mr Manish Jain, secretary, tourism Department and Planning, Statistics and Programmme Implementation Department, West Bengal, at the Conference on Transformational Leadership in Tourism Development, organized by the CII-Suresh Neotia Centre of Excellence here today.

The Conference was organised alongside the four-day Travel Eastorganised by the CII-Suresh Neotia Centre of Excellence.

Mr Jain further stated that West Bengal is gifted with all elements of tourism like religious, cultural, adventure and medical tourism making it a preferred destination for travellers from around the world. With the increase in public funding the state has witnessed a 20% growth in its tourist population.

He further went on to mention that West Bengal has one of the best hotel occupancy rates in the country: Kolkata has 3000 high end hotel rooms with a phenomenal occupancy rate of 70.

During the Durga Puja in 2017, West Bengal saw about 2000 foreign visitors. This, he said, the state’s expectations of 2000.

The state is undertaking some major tourism projects in Gajoldoba in North Bengal, Jharkhali in the Sunderbans and also coming up with a convention centre in New Town, he said.

“The West Bengal State Government is partnering in initiatives like Travel East with the purpose to promote tourism in the state,” Mr Jain said.