World Tourism Day 2026: West Bengal Tourism To Organise Investors Meet On September 27 In Kolkata

The Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, is undertaking a focused programme of tourism infrastructure development, destination enhancement, heritage conservation, connectivity improvement and community-based tourism across the State. 

A number of major initiatives have already been completed/advanced, while a strong pipeline of projects has been taken up for implementation, aimed at creating new tourism destinations, improving visitor infrastructure and strengthening tourism-led livelihoods.

Key Completed/Advanced Initiatives

• Mirik Lake Development: Mirik Lake is being developed as a spiritual and eco-tourism destination, with Rs 57 crore sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

• One State - One Global Destination: Darjeeling-Kurseong-Mirik has been positioned as the State’s lead global destination, with Sundarbans as the second destination proposed under the scheme.

• Hybrid Electric Ferries for River Tourism: Two 100-passenger hybrid electric ferries have been procured, with a work order for DPR preparation for two additional luxury vessels at key riverfront locations, and charging infrastructure has been given to GRSE.

• River Tourism Infrastructure: Land has been identified for new jetties at Kolkata, Barrackpore, Srirampore, Chandannagar, Hooghly, Ambika Kalna, Matiara, Nadia and Baranagar, to be developed with WBTDCL.

• Bailey Bridges at Aranya Tourism Property, Jaldapara: Two Bailey bridges are being constructed with GRSE to provide a permanent connectivity solution to the tourism property.

• Indo-French Cooperation - Chandannagar: To mark the commencement of Restoration of Registry Building Chandannagar Indo-French shared heritage programme was organised on 11 September 2026.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Tourism Department, Government of West Bengal and the French Consul General to extend cooperation for heritage conservation, technical and cultural exchange, tourism circuits and livelihood generation, with the long-term objective of developing Chandannagar as a Model Indo-French Heritage City.

• 108 Religious Tourism Circuits: Temples and pilgrimage centres are being integrated into 108 religious tourism circuits incorporating 400+ touchpoints, with focus on amenities, accessibility, signage and destination improvement. District Magistrates are requested to send project proposals after identifying critical gaps.

• Bishnupur Temple Town: Comprehensive DPR for heritage and temple tourism development is being prepared by IIT Kharagpur

• Little Europe: IIT Kharagpur is also undertaking documentation for UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination and preparation of a DPR for developing the European settlements along the Hooghly as an international tourism destination.

• Chandannagar Tourism Development: HUDCO has been engaged as a consultant for preparation of a DPR for developing Chandannagar as a tourism destination.

• Ropeway Development: RITES is undertaking assessment and feasibility studies for seven ropeway sites across North and South Bengal.

✓ North Bengal Priority Ropeways (4): Delo-Relli; Mirik (Swiss Cottage-Mirik Lake); Rohini-Giddapahar Phase-I; Upper Batasia; Rock Garden-Ganga Maya Park.

✓ South Bengal (3): Belur-Dakshineswar; Bankura Pareshnath temple to Deer Park; Ajodhya Hills in Purulia to Bamni Falls

• Tribal Tourism under DA-JGUA: A tourism-led development proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Tourism for selected tribal villages in Kalimpong, with emphasis on crafts, tourism and livelihood generation.

• Cooch Behar Kalibari, Varanasi: Initiatives taken for Restoration of the historic Kalibari with pilgrim amenities

• Homestay Tourism Policy: The 2022 Homestay Policy is being revamped with enhanced capacity, support for women-owned and tribal homestays and strengthened compliance, in line with Ease of Doing Business.

• Tourism Industry Benefits Scheme: The Industry Benefit Scheme is being developed to translate tourism’s industry status into a package of investor incentives providing fiscal and non-fiscal benefits.

• MLA-led Tourism Development: To promote inclusiveness, proposals have been requested from different stakeholders and MLAs and proposals have been received from 39 MLAs, with District Magistrates requested to submit project proposals and feasibility reports.

• World Mangrove Day and Blue Carbon Economy Stakeholder Workshop: Decentralised workshops have been organised in various locations. Among these is World Mangrove Day at Raichak, where Green Brigade and grassroots workers of the Sundarbans were recognised.

Projects in the Pipeline / Administrative Approval Received

The Department has also created a pipeline of destination-level projects for strengthening tourism infrastructure across the State, including:

• Rs 1 Cr - Eco Park, Dangi, Dakshin Dinajpur: Development of a new eco-tourism facility.

• Rs 98 Lakh - Eco Park, Banochaya Basti, Kalchini, Alipurduar: Development of an eco-tourism park.

• Rs 1 Cr - Rameshwar Bidhyeswari, Dhadhalpara: Development of tourism infrastructure at the destination.

• Rs 99 Lakh - Jhargram: Renovation and development of the local pond with boating facilities, lighting and a musical fountain for tourism promotion.

• Rs 56 Lakh - Milan Top-Kamjer Trekking Route: Development of a trekking route through the Pedong Development Board area.

• Rs 52 Lakh - Tinchuley-Milan Top Trekking Route: Development of a new trekking route to strengthen adventure tourism.

• Rs 50 Lakh - Mirik: Development of a park and glass cafeteria to enhance visitor amenities.

• Gour Dighi Tourist Spot, Harirampur: Development of the tourist spot has received administrative approval; the project amount is not specified in the available project summary.

• Eco Tourism Park, Todey Tangta, Kalimpong: Development of a new eco-tourism facility has received administrative approval.

Completed Scheme

• Rs 3.86 Cr - Mainak Tourism Property, Siliguri: Construction of 25 additional guest rooms, fire-escape stairs, wedding kitchen, vegetarian kitchen and associated infrastructure.

• Rs 1.01 Cr - Jagannath Temple, Serampore: Development of Jagannath Temple premises at Mahesh, Serampore, Hooghly.

• Rs 1.15 Cr - Hill Top Tourism Property, Kalimpong: Repair and Renovation work for Hill Top Tourism Property, Kalimpong.

• Rs 0.79 Cr - Amdanga Karunamoyee Kalibari, North 24 Parganas: Construction works at Amdanga Karunamoyee Kalibari, North 24 Parganas (Physical Progress 90 per cent).

• Rs 0.47 Cr - Ramprasad Vita, Halisahar: Development and Beautification of Ramprasad Vita at Halisahar, North 24 Parganas (Physical Progress 90 per cent).

Future Tourism Property Pipeline

The Department is also progressing towards development of new WBTDCL tourism properties at Taki, Nabadwip, Cooch Behar and Purulia, with the tender process for preparation of DPRs proposed to commence before Puja.

Together, these completed, ongoing and pipeline initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to tourism development, combining destination infrastructure, heritage conservation, eco-tourism, river tourism, religious tourism, adventure tourism, ropeways, homestays and community livelihoods to expand the tourism footprint across West Bengal.