107 delegates from 37 countries joined Destination 2020
This morning, one hundred and seven leading tour companies and their representatives from around thirty-seven countries attended the inauguration of one of the biggest tourism meets in India held at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
The Destination East 2020 spearheaded by CII Eastern Region and supported by the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, was formally opened for the delegates and other stake-holders in the august presence of Mr. Goutam Deb- the Minister in Charge of the Department of Tourism, Ms. Nandini Chakravorty- Principal Secretary of Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, Mr. Kaushik Bhattacharya- Managing Director of WBTDCL, Mr. Ronojoy Dutta- CEO of Indigo Airlines, Mr. Atul Bhalla- Chairman of the Tourism sub-committee of CII Eastern Region, Souvagya Mohapatra and Manish Gupta- Co-Chairman, Tourism Sub-committee CII Eastern Region.
Mr. Goutam Deb - the Minister in Charge of the Department of Tourism
While addressing the audience, Mr. Goutam Deb elaborated on the measures taken by the Government of West Bengal to boost the tourism sector. According to him, “Private sector has been investing in this industry and many investors are considering Bengal as a lucrative investment opportunity .” He hoped that many more will flow into the state and the present Government will deliver all necessary support.
Ms. Nandini Chakravorty - Principal Secretary of Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal
Nandini Chakravorty was upbeat about the tourism roadmap being followed by her department. “The percentage of foreign tourist arrival has shown a significant growth. The department is taking several measures, both in operation and marketing to showcase the tourism potential of the state.”
International Delegates
Mr. Ronojoy Dutta, CEO of Indigo Airlines, gave the audience a world-view of the tourism industry and suggested that Bengal take “The Triangular Approach” while selling its tourism products. Indigo is considering Kolkata and Bagdogra as their gateways to North-East India and South-East Asia.
Mr. Ronojoy Dutta - CEO of Indigo Airlines
Just as a tourist would touch upon Prague and Budapest while planning for Vienna, similarly with Bengal having the lethal combination of the Himalayas, rivers and forests, this triangular selling strategy would work best for the state tourism. He advised that China being the largest outbound tourism community in the world, Bengal should focus on bringing in more tourists from China with the Buddhist tourism in mind to the state. Indigo is planning to connect China from the Kolkata Airport which will facilitate the initiative.”
Husna Tara Praksh
Mr. Atul Bhalla, Mr. Manish Gupta and Mr. Souvagya Mohapatra from CII, also explained in details the growth in tourism and how the private stake-holders and the Department of Tourism are helping the industry to grow.
The session ended with an inspiring presentation on Bengal by Husna Tara Praksh where she explained to the foreign delegates on why and how Bengal has all the elements of being the most preferred tourism destinations in India.
