Across all its properties, the WBTDCL scripted a success story in the latter half of 2020
Morgan House in Kalimpong
When a nationwide lockdown prompted by the Covid pandemic was declared in India at the end of March 2020, long-distance travel stopped automatically, as all trains and flights were suspended. And the travel and tourism industry went into a deep depression. Hotels stayed empty, airports and stations gathered dust, and millions of jobs were on the line as revenues dried up completely. Experts predicted that the industry would need several years to emerge from the slump, and that the market would not return to normal in the foreseeable future.
Morgan House in Kalimpong
And yet, at its 169th board meeting held on December 18, 2020, the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (WBTDCL) came up with some delightful, and astonishing, statistics. Indeed, for the first time this year, the WBTDCL has actually posted a profit. These are statistics that tell a story of hope for the state’s beleaguered tourism sector, which has been hit as hard as any other tourism sector in the world.
In the ‘Package and Other Income’ segment, for instance, the revenue jumped from Rs 3.48 lakh in August to Rs 7.80 lakh in October. However, when it comes to occupancy, the only segment for which data is available for the first week of December, the growth has been remarkable.
Jhargram Palace
Covering all the properties belonging to WBTDCL, the statistics are from the months of August to November, 2020, but if these four months are any indication, the upward curve is here to stay.
Moorti Tourism Property
Take room sale, for instance. In August, revenue from this segment stood at Rs 42.45 lakh, which rose to Rs 52.54 lakh in September, a staggering Rs 1.07 crore in October, and Rs 1.21 crore in November. In percentage terms, the growth has been 23.76 percent, 102.27 percent, and 13.85 percent respectively. Similar is the scenario for food sales, where the revenue was nearly Rs 14 lakh in August, shooting up to Rs 37.55 lakh in September (a jump of 168.66 percent), Rs 80.28 lakh in October (a growth of 113.80 percent), and Rs 82.30 lakh in November.
In most cases, the month of October has registered the highest growth, coinciding with the Durga Puja vacations. In the ‘Package and Other Income’ segment, for instance, the revenue jumped from Rs 3.48 lakh in August to Rs 7.80 lakh in October. However, when it comes to occupancy, the only segment for which data is available for the first week of December, the growth has been remarkable – from 6 percent in August, to 27 percent in September, 52 percent in October, 55 percent in November, and 80.14 percent until December 7. All of which has culminated in a total profit of Rs 3.43 lakh for the month of November.
The peaceful cottages at Aranya Tourism Property, Jaldapara
Ever since the unlock phase began, and hotels and other similar establishments were gradually opened to guests, the WBTDCL has taken particular care to sanitise its properties and follow Covid protocol in strict accordance with government guidelines. As the rising numbers show, guests have begun to return the favour.
For bookings and details on individual locations, either visit the government's tourism department website, or contact:
West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd
DG Block, Sector-II, Salt Lake
Kolkata 700091
Phone: (033) 2358 5189, Fax: 2359 8292
Email: visitwestbengal@yahoo.co.in, mdwbtdc@gmail.com, dgmrwbtdc@gmail.com
