Mumbai, Oct. 5 -- The West Bengal government has announced tourism investment commitments worth Rs. 125.34 bn, with the proposed projects expected to generate more than 22,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities across tourism-related sectors. The commitments were presented at an Investors' Meet hosted by the state government at Taj Bengal in Kolkata on World Tourism Day.
Held under the theme From Intent to Investment, the meeting focused on tourism infrastructure, investment opportunities and private-sector participation. The proposed projects cover hotels, business accommodation, tea tourism, resorts, heritage properties, leisure destinations and wellness facilities, broadening the range of tourism assets planned across the state.
Participating business groups include Ambuja Neotia Group, Apeejay Surendra Group, which operates The Park, KKG, EVARA Hospitality, MLA Group, Hilton & Beekay and Sonerio Hotels. Proposals for North Bengal involve Luxmi Tea Co., BLG Group, L.R. Agro, associated with ITC Mementos, Hurdeodass Co., Dzongri Properties, LBS Hotel & Resorts and Four Vedas Hotel & Resorts.
Additional proposals have been submitted by Sree Balaji Group, Tulsa Group, Pomesh Health Care, Bari Kothi Heritage Hotels, Satya Spa & Resorts and Hotel Sonar Bangla Group. These plans include heritage tourism, wellness and leisure developments, while the state government aims to support emerging destinations and niche tourism products through sustainable infrastructure and private investment.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh, Minister of State for Tourism Purnima Chakraborty, Additional Chief Secretary Barun Kumar Roy, industrialist Harshvardhan Neotia, 36 other investors and industry representatives. The government also outlined a digital tourism agenda using artificial intelligence (AI) for destination management, international outreach and visitor services. Ghosh launched a bilingual digital platform and mobile application through which users can contact him, submit proposals and ideas, and lodge complaints.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.