March 26, 2014
1000 days at a glance – Huge boost for Tourism
The present state government, at the passionate inspiration of the Chief Minister, has given unprecedented emphasis towards development in the field of tourism. Budget allocation has been increased manifold during the period of present government. The budget allocation for tourism department was Rs 32 crore in 2009-2010, which has now been increased to Rs 180 crore during 2014-15.
The department of Tourism has given foremost priority to the spheres of tourism potentials which has still been unexplored and has taken various actions in this regard.
Development of Tourism through Public Private Partnership Model:
The state government has adopted the Public Private Partnership Model, followed worldwide. It includes Tourism Park, Lodge (both economic and luxurious), Amusement Park, Adventure sports, Helicopter and Sea- Transport services and numerous revenue earning projects.
Cultural Tourism:
Cultural Tourism is, now-a-days, considered to be an integral part of general tourism and the department of Tourism is trying to uphold enriched cultural pluralism of this state. Besides, Bauls, Chhou performers, Flouteplayers etc., the Pata artists, Creators of handicraft designs, Experts in Kantha stiching, the Dokra fine-artists have been included in all the street exhibitions at home and abroad as part of this cultural tourism. The presence of these artists in the large-scale tourism-centric programme in London and Berlin has made the pavillion of West Bengal an important centre of attraction. In order to make available for the tourists, these kinds of cultural assets through lodging, centres of skill development, exhibitions and sales counters, dept. of Tourism at the same time, is upholding rural tourism.
Home Tourism:
Department of Tourism has given special emphasis on Home Tourism in various tourist centres specially in Derjeeling and Dooars.
Heritage Tourism:
Keeping in view enormous cultural and historical heritage, the state government has taken up a plan for the development of heritage sites of Malda and Murshidabad and the temples of Bishnupur from the viewpoint of tourism development. A project on tourism has been taken on Motijheel in Murshidabad involving Rs. 14 crore.
Beautification of Cities:
A lot of projects have been undertaken for beautification of Kolkata, a city of heritage. One of these projects is the beautification of the river Ganga involving Rs 20 crore.
Besides, a project is being implemented by the dept. of Tourism in view of maintenance, renovation and cultural artefacts of colonial heritage on the both sides of the river Hooghly with the assistance of the concerned embassies.
Tourism at remote destination:
Special emphasis has been laid on spread of tourism in places which has not yet captured the imagination of the tourists. It includes construction of tourist lodge at Gangarampur in the district of Dakshin Dinajpur, and construction of guest houses at Ramganga & Patharpratima in the district of South 24 Parganas. This apart, a district-wise narrative list of tourism destinations has been prepared.
Publicity:
Keeping in view the marketing of the 'RUPASI BANGLA' (Beautiful Bengal), the Department of Tourism has been participating relentlessly in the Travel & Tourism Fairs organised at home and abroad. Few of these are International Trade Fair, IITM, IATO Annual Convention, WTM London , ITB Berlin etc.
For more details about the achievements in tourism, click here.
