Funding for tourism sector goes up to Rs 400 crore in 6 years
As an indication of the importance that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress Government places on the tourism sector, public funding in the sector, according to a senior official of Tourism Department, has gone up from Rs 35 crore to Rs 400 crore in the past six years.
Bengal is gifted with all the necessary elements for making it a preferred destination for travellers from around the world.
As a consequence of this increase in funding, Bengal has witnessed a 20 per cent growth in its tourist population. The state has one of the best hotel occupancy rates in India. Kolkata has 3,000 high-end hotel rooms with a phenomenal occupancy rate of 70 per cent. During the Durga Puja this year, Bengal saw about 2,000 foreign visitors.
Currently some major tourism projects are coming up in Gajoldoba in north Bengal and Jharkhali in the Sundarbans. A convention centre is coming up in Digha.
To promote the state’s tourist spots, the State Government regularly takes part in national and international tourism fairs and conventions, like Travel East and others.
