The state of West Bengal is unique in terms of tourism, given the fact that it is the only state in India, which has all the three vital ingredients – Sea, Mountains and Forest. It includes Darjeeling Himalayan hill region, Terrai region, North Bengal plains, Rarh region, Western plateau and high lands, Coastal plains, Ganges delta & Sunderban
As far as tourism in West Bengal is concerned, it is still a backbencher as compared to the other Indian states that have marched way ahead of Bengal. In spite of having places of sheer magic like the hill stations of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, the lush green tea gardens of Dooars in North Bengal, Historical Malda & Murshidabad, Peaceful Shantiniketan, religious Krishnanagar & Nabadwip, the coastal town of Digha & Mondarmoni. In spite of the government’s honest and sincere intentions, mega industrial projects at various places of West Bengal have meet with stiff resistance. It seems to be a case of “Paradise Lost” and the sooner a solution; the better it will be for the state’s fledgling tourism industry. Tourism in Bengal has been given a shot-in-the-arm, courtesy a slew of futuristic tourism / hospitality projects that promises to cater to the exacting needs of the discerning world traveler. In its drive to improve the state’s image as a preferred destination, the government has its task cut out. The government has to realize that this sunrise industry that employs over 100 million people worldwide.
Not only has the sector grown at a remarkable pace in the past, but most tourism experts expect that it will grow even more rapidly in the future, thereby resulting in career opportunities and rewards to thousands of the state’s unemployed youths. If properly implemented, Tourism can play the role of a non-invasive instrument of revitalization, conservation and growth. The watchword would be “Balanced Tourism Development” that will ensure the type and scale of tourism development which is compatible with the environment and social cultural milieu of the state. Asian Highway & National Highway will make movement faster & easier with new avenues / Destinations opening up. Bengal is a beautiful and diverse tourism destination, with the right policies in place it will no doubt continue to grow towards ranking even higher in terms of its tourism economy
In order to achieve the desired objectives, the structural organization of the tourism set-up has to be further strengthened and toned up. Processes and procedures has to be simplified along with the strengthening of the statistical machinery, reporting systems and development of a comprehensive data base to quantify and evaluate the socioeconomic benefits derived from Tourism. In view of the present global economic upheavals there has been a slow down in the flow of foreign tourists and even the business travelers have curtailed their visits to this part of the world. Dissecting the reasons for the slowdown of the economy is not just an academic exercise, but might provide significant insights as to how to proceed with a sustainable policy for Tourism development. Experts highlighted the immense economic viability of launching Eco-Tourism / Sustainable Tourism or more appropriately “Responsible Tourism” which according to them has the potential to ameliorate the sagging rural economy of not Bengal.
The success story of Kerala is a case in point. They have not just implemented the visionary statement of Amartya Sen, but have even gone that extra mile towards creating niche rural tourism products like Spice Tourism, Agro Tourism, Ayurved Tourism, Monsoon Tourism etc. Much of West Bengal’s industrial and economic problems can be solved if the mandarins of Official Building listen to the clarion call of experts and others of their ilk who have been giving a lot of stress on developing Tourism through local stakeholder’s initiatives and NGOs who can act as useful vehicles for promoting environmentally sensitive tourism. Let us consider a set of “Futuristic Tourism Development Avenues” which if implemented properly, promises to usher in a second Bengali renaissance, which is “Renaissance Through Tourism”
It is true that there are problems galore when it comes to developing the Tourism industry in a state like West Bengal. What is heartening though is that there seems to be awareness in the minds of the people as well as of the government of West Bengal that everyone has to unite together, whether he or she is a sage or an ordinary person. With the people’s power and the power of grass root institutions, the deteriorating tourism standards can be arrested and improved upon. Apart from the government, NGOs, Tourism Associations also have to share the responsibility and help and guide the local citizenry in developing a sound and sustainable tourism platform for West Bengal.
https://www.dreamwaydestinations.com &https://www.visittobengal.com