June 30, 2014
New branding for Bengal tourism
The state government is planning to come upwith a new branding to promote Bengal as a tourist destination. According tosources in the state secretariat, the tourism department is mulling the optionof engaging professional consultants to come up with a new branding. Theexpression of interest may be floated soon to invite reputable consultants forthis purpose.
The state government had earlier come upwith `Beautiful Bengal` -a short promotional film featuring brand ambassadorShah Rukh Khan. The tourism department has already started tapping social medianetworks like Facebook to promote tourist spots in the state. The department isuploading prominent heritage spots, along with all details, for people to knowabout the state`s heritage past.
Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee has beengiving much stress to develop tourism in the state. Only recently it wasdecided that an eco-tourism board will be constituted to promote eco-tourismacross the state.
The CM recently instructed forestdepartment officials to work in tandem with the tourism department to set upeco-tourism spots. The tourism department is working on a number of ecotourismprojects in places like Jharkhali and Gazoldoba.
The tourism department is also preparing adetail project report for the proposed tourism circuit from Jangalmahal toSagar Island. It will be placed before the union ministry of tourism forcentral funds. The authorities have also planned to come up with several moretourism circuits across the state.
Moreover, the state government has plannedto introduce the West Bengal Tourism (development and regulation) Act, 2014,and a new incentive scheme for tourism. A preliminary draft has already beenprepared and the final draft could be placed in the winter session of the assembly.
The article was originally published in The Times of India, 30.06.2014
