The Hindu Business Line : WB Govt maps tourist potential of lesser-known places

Kolkata May 2 The West Bengal Government is banking on the public-private partnership approach to promote lesser-known tourism spots in the State. Places including Plassey, Bishnupur and Shantiniketan, which are not well known tourism destinations, have been identified to be jointly developed with private players.

"We have identified places in parts of Murshidabad, Bankura, Birbhum and Malda which are not well known tourism destinations. We will look to develop these places mostly through public-private partnership," Mr G.D. Gautama, Principal Secretary of State Tourism department, told Business Line.

"The main problem has been lack of publicity. These places have tremendous potential, but lack of marketing initiatives has hindered the development of these places as tourist spots," he added. The State Government will soon appoint a "professional public relation agency" to market West Bengal internationally as a tourist destination, he said.

According to Mr Gautama, the State Government will focus on better road connectivity and infrastructure facilities, and plans to set up hotels and resorts in partnership with private players in these lesser-known places. Besides conventional tourism, the Government is also looking to develop village, handicraft, fair and festival tourism in the selected destinations.

The Government has appointed Ernst and Young to draw up a roadmap to promote tourism in the State. The company is expected to submit its report by the month end, on the basis of which private players will be invited to submit expressions of interest to jointly develop these places.

The annual tourist inflow to the State during 2006-07 was 1,65,25,000, comprising 1,55,00,000 domestic tourists and 10,25,000 foreign tourists. The State Government is hopeful that the promotion of these lesser-known spots will give a boost to tourism in the State.