With both Himalayas and beaches, WB attracting more tourists

Propelled by an increased budgetary support and fresh branding, West Bengal, which has both the Himalayas as well as beaches, is now pitted as a hotspot for tourists, a senior state tourism official today said.
"Tourism has seen a giant leap in the state. Now as a matter of policy we have given increased thrust on tourism. The budget has also been increased from Rs 40 crore few years ago to Rs 243 crore now," West Bengal tourism secretary Ajit Ranjan Bardhan said.
Speaking at the inauguration of Tourism and Travel Fair here, Bardhan said the state will make a new branding effort to attract tourists during the coming Durga Puja festival.

"Our tourism policy is supporting private partners as well," he said.
Stating that Bengal is the only state which has both Himalayas and beaches, Bardhan said, "There is no parallel to Bengal.