Siliguri: The state government plans to organise a "World
Tourism Festival" in the state to showcase the potential of Bengal,
state tourism minister Gautam Deb said here on Saturday.
He said the initial ground work had been started and the
details would be finalised after consulting chief minister Mamata
Banerjee.
"Bengal has a huge potential in tourism. The state has lush green
forests, mountains, beaches and wildlife that every year attracts
tourists from across the country. We are planning to highlight these in a
planned manner throughout the year to international tourists, so that
the inflow increases," Deb said.
"We have already launched a couple of major tourism projects
like Bengal Safari on the outskirts of Siliguri. Gazoldoba is another
project that will come up with cottages, boating, hospitality training
institute and budget hotels," he said.
The minister was here at Dinabandhu Mancha to inaugurate a
quiz programme for students organised by the state tourism department
titled 'Great Bengal Quiz'. Fifty schools participated from Siliguri,
Calcutta, Burdwan and Behrampur. The final will be held at Calcutta on
January 13.
"Our department is organising such events to spread awareness
among people about their knowledge from the school level, as tourism is a
vast subject and it generates more employment opportunity than IT
sector," the minister said.
Tour operators who were present at the event though welcomed
the idea of international tourism meet, but also said that the
government should focus on improving infrastructure first.
The Telegraph
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