Shankar Ghosh stressed that the development of North Bengal would play a crucial role in building a developed West Bengal,
Photo: SNS
Bengal Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh on Tuesday said that the Union government has agreed in principle to consider a second global tourism destination for West Bengal alongside Darjeeling.
Addressing The Dawn of Viksit Bengal programme organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, North Bengal Chapter, the minister said he had recently urged Union Tourism Minister to expand the Centre’s “One State, One Global Destination” concept for West Bengal.
Advertisement
“Darjeeling is already recognised as the state’s global destination. We requested that West Bengal should have at least two such destinations, and the Centre has responded positively,” Ghosh said.
Advertisement
Calling it a “good gift” from the Centre, the minister attributed the development to the BJP governments at both the Centre and in the state.
Speaking on the theme of the programme, Ghosh stressed that the development of North Bengal would play a crucial role in building a developed West Bengal, ultimately contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Recalling his years in the Opposition, he said he had consistently raised issues concerning North Bengal and claimed that the region’s priorities are now reflected in the state budget. He credited Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta for giving special emphasis to North Bengal’s development.
Inviting entrepreneurs and industrialists to invest in the state, the tourism minister said West Bengal now offers a favourable environment for investment and assured the government would provide all necessary support for industry and tourism-related ventures.
He acknowledged that he was new to the tourism portfolio and said the state’s tourism strategy would be shaped through consultations with officials, industry stakeholders and tourism entrepreneurs.
“The new tourism policy will be based on suggestions and expectations from all stakeholders,” he said, adding that the proposed Tourism Industrial Policy (TIP) is in its final stages and will be announced shortly.
Ghosh admitted that despite abundant tourism potential, the sector had not achieved the desired growth in recent years because of a “lack of political will.”
He said the government’s vision is to transform “possibility into prosperity” with the slogan “Sambhabana Theke Safolyo.”
He also outlined plans to build a strong “Brand Bengal” by highlighting the state’s natural beauty and cultural heritage – ‘Beauty of Bengal’.
A team from IIT Kharagpur is conducting research on tourist preferences, destination choices and branding strategies to strengthen West Bengal’s tourism promotion, he said.
The minister hinted that the state may appoint a brand ambassador to promote Bengal’s tourism globally and emphasised the need for partnerships between the government and the private sector to achieve sustained growth.
With Durga Puja approaching, Ghosh urged stakeholders to help promote the festival internationally and encourage Bengalis and foreign visitors across the world to travel to West Bengal to experience its UNESCO-recognised cultural celebration, describing tourism as a vehicle for inclusive development under the slogan “Tourism for All.”
Advertisement
