West Bengal has secured the Centre’s approval in principle to develop two globally benchmarked tourism destinations, going beyond the Centre’s “One State, One Global Destination” initiative, Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh said on Friday.
Addressing the inauguration of the Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) Kolkata 2026 at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Ghosh said he had recently held a “very fruitful” meeting with Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, during which the Centre agreed to West Bengal’s proposal to develop two international-standard tourism destinations instead of one.
“We are working on not one but two global destinations for West Bengal. I had a very fruitful meeting with Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and he has given clearance for the development of two global destinations in the state,” Ghosh said.
He said Darjeeling would be developed as the state’s first world-class tourism destination, while the second destination would be identified as part of the government’s long-term tourism strategy.
“Under the Centre’s One State, One Global Destination vision, we requested permission to develop two destinations in West Bengal. We want to attract more foreign tourists and showcase the state’s immense tourism potential,” he said.
Highlighting what he described as the absence of a dedicated tourism industry framework in the state, Ghosh said the government was drafting a policy to encourage investment in hotels.
“Till date, there has been no policy from the state itself to promote hotels and hotel chains. We want to attract big-ticket investors to build hotels in West Bengal. The new tourism industrial policy will provide both cash and non-cash benefits to the hospitality sector so that people come here and set up hotels and hospitality units,” he told The Statesman before adding that the hospitality sector is an important sector that accounts for employment generation in the state.
The minister said his department was also working on a separate detailed homestay and bed-and-breakfast policy in consultation with stakeholders across the state.
“All homestay associations in West Bengal have been invited to submit their suggestions. We want to formulate a policy that ensures homestays can operate smoothly with clear guidelines and standard operating procedures,” Ghosh said.
He said the proposed framework would bring greater certainty to operators while helping improve service standards and visitor experience.
“This will ensure not only quality services for the tourists that will translate into repeat visits but also help the homestay owners and operators to run their operations smoothly,” Ghosh said.
Meanwhile, the minister said the state’s tourism development programme would be driven by a five-pronged strategy—Potential to Performance, Tourism for All, Reimagining the Brand of Bengal, Gateway to the East, and Partnership for Progress—aimed at improving infrastructure, broadening tourism opportunities and positioning West Bengal as a leading destination for domestic and international travellers.
Ghosh said Darjeeling’s transformation into a world-class tourism hub had already been set in motion, with Rs 2,500 crore earmarked for infrastructure and destination development.
He said Mirik would also undergo a major facelift with Rs 100 crore in Central assistance to upgrade the lakefront, improve tourist accommodation and introduce new tourism activities to attract a wider range of visitors.
Beyond Darjeeling and Mirik, the government has identified Kalimpong as a future hub for nature and adventure tourism. At the same time, Digha is being planned as a premier coastal tourism destination, while the Sundarbans will be developed as an eco-friendly, carbon-neutral tourism circuit.
The minister said these projects were being implemented in close coordination with the Centre under the national tourism development framework.
The Union government’s initiative, announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, envisages the creation of at least one globally benchmarked tourist destination in every state and Union Territory, supported by private investment and performance-linked incentives for destination management.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had emphasised the need for close cooperation between the Centre, states and the private sector to transform India’s tourism sector.
“This meeting marks a defining moment for Indian tourism. By pooling our resources, expertise and vision, we are committed to creating a portfolio of destinations that not only showcase India’s incredible diversity but also compete on a global scale in terms of experience, infrastructure and sustainability,” Shekhawat had said in October last year.
Ghosh expressed confidence that the Centre and the state would work together to unlock West Bengal’s tourism potential.
“I am hopeful that the double-engine government will help us fully explore the enormous potential of tourism in West Bengal,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the previous Trinamool Congress government, Ghosh said earlier tourism initiatives, including Pother Sathi, had failed to achieve their objectives. He said the present government would adopt a planned, collaborative approach with the Centre rather than pursue isolated projects, with the aim of establishing West Bengal among the country’s leading tourism destinations.