WB Assembly passes Rs 317 cr budget for Tourism Dept

A Rs 317 crore budget for the Tourism department of West Bengal government was passed in the state Assembly today with Minister Bratya Basu claiming that new avenues were being explored to double tourist entry in the state.
The state was stressing on medical, film and religious tourism apart from taking various steps to make it a tourist-friendly destination in a bid to double traveller entry, Basu said while presenting the Budget proposal.
Online booking facilities, availability of accomodation, restaurants and other facilities in both public and private sectors on the internet has helped increase tourist movement, the Minister said.

He said the department has tied up with a private agency through tendering process for adverstising and campaigning in different news and travel channels and travel and tourism fairs.
A total of 4.9 crore domestic tourists visited West Bengal in 2014-15, while 13.75 lakh foreigners visited the state during the same period, the Minister added.