West Bengal to Launch Tourism App for Information and Bookings

ONLY GOVERNMENT-APPROVED AGENCIES CAN REGISTER

Sanchita Aich Bag, Mp, July 1, 2026, Siliguri: In a major push to promote tourism and curb fraud targeting visitors, the West Bengal Tourism Department is set to launch a dedicated mobile application that will allow tourists to access information on destinations across the state and book hotels, vehicles, and other travel services through a single platform.

The announcement was made by State Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh on Tuesday after a conference with tourism stakeholders at a hotel near Bagdogra.

The meeting was attended by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and representatives from various tourism and hospitality organisations across North Bengal.

According to the minister, only government-recognised tourism agencies will be allowed to register on the platform, ensuring authenticity and reducing instances of fraud and harassment faced by tourists.

“We have received reports of tourists being cheated on several occasions. Such incidents will no longer be tolerated. The new app will help visitors access verified tourism services, while West Bengal’s tourism sector will also be promoted as a strong and trusted brand,” Ghosh said.

The minister also announced that the government would tighten monitoring of homestays across the state and introduce changes to existing regulations to improve service quality and ensure better compliance.

Speaking at the event, MP Raju Bista outlined several infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening tourism in Darjeeling and North Bengal.

He said: “A new alternative highway connecting Siliguri and Darjeeling would be developed to ease traffic congestion. Siliguri–Rohini Road and the Lebong–Three Mile Road have been handed over to the Public Works Department (PWD). Around 60 highways across the Darjeeling hills will be constructed and a 180-km ring road around Siliguri will also be built soon.”

Tourism industry representatives welcomed the conference and submitted several proposals to the minister for further development of the sector.

Ujjal Ghosh, representing the Greater Siliguri Hoteliers Welfare Association, said: “We proposed developing the Mahananda River Ghat on the lines of Varanasi’s riverfront, along with introducing adventure tourism activities such as hot air balloon rides to encourage tourists to spend more time in the region.”

Meanwhile, Samrat Sanyal of the Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN) suggested that West Bengal and Sikkim should enter into a reciprocal transport agreement, allowing tourists to travel seamlessly between the two neighbouring states using the same commercial vehicles.