Priyanka Joshi attended the launch of a month-long campaign that aims at attracting tourists to West Bengal
Bengal is a captivating city and has unique culture of making even outsiders feel like they are close to home. It is said that no trip to India is complete without a visit to the culturally rich place.
To promote tourism and attract more revenue for the state, the West Bengal government launched a month-long intensive campaign in the national capital.
The campaign with the tagline Chalo Chalen Bengal (let’s visit Bengal), aims at attracting tourists.
“Allocation made by the state government for tourism sector was Rs38 crore in 2011-2012. It has been increased to Rs90 crore in 2012-2013 and Rs120 crore in the current financial year 2013-2014. It clearly shows that the budgetary support has increased by 33 per cent by the new state government,” said Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, West Bengal Tourism Minister, who launched the campaign.
The first-ever month-long intensive promotional campaign will project the tourism potential of West Bengal, attract more domestic and foreign tourists and facilitate better interaction with investors and industry stakeholders like travel operators.
The minister also inaugurated a new state-of-the-art tourism information centre here. “The state government plans to come up with another international airport at Durgapur which will connect tourists to northern part of the state,” said Vikaram Sen, Principal Secretary, Tourism, in the West Bengal government.
There is also a proposal to start night flights from Bagdogra airport. The state government is in talks with the Airport Authority of India, he said.
To spread the message at home and abroad, Resident Commissioners of all States and Envoys of various countries were invited for the promotional programme. “Tourism plays a key role in socio-economic progress through creation of jobs, enterprise, infrastructure and revenue earnings. The world heritage toy train will connect Siliguri to Darjeeling. Pawan Hansraj helicopters are also going to be operational to ferry tourists to Darjeeling and adjoining areas,” said Sen.
Adventure sports, world-class golf course, tour packages, home stay programmes at rural areas to learn the art and culture of the state, heritage walk programme in Kolkata and many more attractive packages are being offered by the West Bengal government.
“This year for Durga Puja, the main festival, we plan to offer 10 tourist packages, five more from last year, that includes Kolkata and other districts of state where tourists can soak in the festive spirit and heritage of the state at various zamindari puja homes,” said Sen.
The government, through PPP mode, is also developing infrastructure that includes Gajoldoba Tourism hub, the Kolkata Giant Wheel, Sylee Tea Tourism hub, Kunjanagar Nature and Adventure Park and eco-tourism in Jhadhali, Sundarbans.
The government is also considering developing beach tourism circuits, including Digha-Tajpur-Mandarmani. The day’s event culminated with presentation of folk forms like Pat-er Gaan (songs rendered during rural tradition of storytelling with the help of scroll paintings), Baul Gaan (representing the unique spiritual musical heritage of Bengal) Purulia Chhau (tribal martial dance) and contemporary Bangla songs by members of the Chandrabindoo band.