Tourism department to improve infrastructure to attract more tourists

MP |  19 Jan 2018, KOLKATA: The tourism department will improve and develop tourism infrastructure in a bid to woo greater number of overseas and domestic tourists, according to Goutam Deb, Tourism Minister. 

Bengal is the sweetest destination. We will offer our global guests wonderful experiences. Please promote Bengal and its out-of-the-world locations and products," Deb told a large gathering of tourism stakeholders, including more than 100 tour and travel operators from as many as 30 countries, including the US, UK, Russia, Australia and many South Asian countries, at the Special Plenary on Day II of Destination East – West Bengal Tourism Summit – organised jointly by CII and the West Bengal Government at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town on Friday.

"We are working on a plan to offer a diverse portfolio of niche products – cruises, adventure, wellness, medical and education, homestays, eco-tourism, MICE, films, rural, and religious tourism," Deb said, adding that development and beautification of tourist spots in Kolkata dominates the Tourism Ministry's agenda.

"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. 

As per latest statistics, the State ranks 5th among the Indian states in terms of foreign tourist arrivals, ahead of states like Rajasthan, Goa and Kerala, and is ranked 8th in terms of domestic tourist arrivals, he informed the audience. 

In terms of the number of tourist footfall in the State, West Bengal is growing at a CAGR of 26.5% between FY 2011 and FY 2016, against a CAGR of 14.5% between FY 2001 and FY 2010, he maintained.