West Bengal lures investors for tourism projects

"There is no problem of land acquisition as the government has already allotted land to these projects. We want businessmen to come to the state and invest without any fear," Mitra said.

"We have earmarked land at Sunderbans, Digha and many other places for setting up budget and star hotels and these projects are bankable, commercial projects in the PPP mode."

Mitra said he had "one-to-one" interaction with a total of 35-40 serious investors in the hotel infrastructure business here over two days and "many were attracted by projects proposed by us."

The West Bengal finance minister, who addressed the media along with Vikram Sen, principal secretary, tourism department, spoke about five major projects, including the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's pet project - the Gajoldoba tourism hub worth Rs.1,500 crore.

He also had a series of interactions with business houses as part of a two-day conclave, "Investment Opportunities in West Bengal", under the aegis of industry associations FICCI and CII.

India received 6.31 million foreign tourist in 2011. According to government estimates, with increased tourist arrivals there will be a need for around 200,000 hotel rooms in the country by 2016.