Tourism stakeholders across North Bengal have welcomed the West Bengal Budget 2026-27, describing it as a forward-looking roadmap that places significant emphasis on heritage, religious, eco-adventure and sustainable tourism while recognising the region’s growing importance in the state’s tourism economy.
Raj Basu, Coordinator of the Association for Conservation and Tourism, appreciated several initiatives announced in the state budget, including the focus on women’s safety, the proposed revision of the Bengal Tea Tourism Policy, sustainable infrastructure development and promotion of agriculture and allied sectors.
Basu particularly welcomed eco-friendly tourism infrastructure in the Sundarbans, including solar-powered boats and pontoon jetties. However, Basu stressed that North Bengal requires a broader tourism vision with greater investment in policy research, skill development, market linkages and promotion of trans-boundary heritage tourism.
He also called for improved connectivity projects such as links between Malda and Rajmahal, Darjeeling and Namchi, and stronger tourism integration with neighbouring states and countries.
Samrat Sanyal, General Secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN), termed the state budget one of the most comprehensive tourism-focused documents in recent years.
He welcomed the international campaign, “Durga Puja – A Global Festival, Bengal’s Eternal Emotion,” aimed at promoting Bengal’s cultural heritage on the global stage.
Sanyal also praised the revival of the Heritage Commission for restoration of important heritage and religious sites, including Kalighat, Tarapith, Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Jalpesh and Tarakeswar. He highlighted the proposed Rs 1,000-crore Bengal Shaktipeeth Circuit, the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Pilgrimage Circuit centred around Mayapur, and plans to position Darjeeling as a premier eco-adventure and heritage tourism destination through trekking, rafting, paragliding and heritage mapping.
He further welcomed initiatives for wildlife and tribal tourism in the Dooars, the Sundarbans Tourism Master Plan, the proposed Tiger Safari at Jungle Mahal and ropeway feasibility studies across the state.
Debashis Chakraborty, General Secretary of the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA), expressed satisfaction over the Budget’s attention to North Bengal.
Chakraborty noted that the government has recognised the potential of eco-adventure and heritage tourism in Darjeeling and the Dooars and welcomed the decision to revise the Tea Tourism Policy by reducing non-tea land use from 30 per cent to 15 per cent.
While appreciating the focus on village tourism, border tourism and regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme, Chakraborty said some important areas still require attention.
These include a dedicated Adventure Tourism Policy, trained heritage guides, skill development centres, incentives for homestays and community tourism, and a clear roadmap for medical tourism.
Tourism stakeholders agreed that the Budget marks a significant step towards strengthening Bengal’s tourism sector. They, however, emphasised that effective implementation, skill development and improved connectivity will be crucial to translating the vision into sustainable growth and employment, particularly in North Bengal.