West Bengal- at a glance

Geographical Area: 88,752 sq km

Location: Located in the eastern part of India and shares its borders with 4 Indian states (Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Sikkim and Assam) and 3 countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal)

Population: 91.3 million (Male: 46.9 million & Female: 44.4 million)

Literacy Ratio: 77.1%

Urban-Rural Ratio: Rural: 68.13% & Urban: 31.87%

State Capital: Kolkata

Districts: 20

Major Cities: Kolkata, Asansol, Durgapur, Howrah, Burdwan, Siliguri, Kharagpur , Haldia

Climate: The climate of West Bengal varies from tropical savannah in the southern portions to humid sub tropical in the north

State Income ( NSDP): INR 728,974 crore

Budget Allocation: INR 57,905 crore (2016-17)

Advantage West Bengal

Ease of Doing Business-West Bengal ranked 11th in Ease of Doing Business. Designated Single Window System and defined approval sanctioning authority has been established to monitor progress and expedite clearances

Excellent Connectivity- International airport at Dum Dum, Domestic airports at Andal and Bagdogra, 2 major ports at Kolkata and Haldia and Chopper services are currently operational. Excellent Road and Rail connectivity with major tourist locations. Kolkata was the first city in the country to have the underground Metro Railway Service

High Tourist Influx- Domestic tourist arrivals - 8th highest in the country with a total of 70.2 million visitors (2015) Foreign tourist arrivals - 5th highest in the country with a total 1.49 million visitors (2015)

Diverse Tourism Products-Himalayas, Religious Sites, Forest, Mangroves, Historical Sites, Cultural Hot Spots, Fairs & Festivals, various Dance & Art forms

Consistent Economic Growth-At current prices, the GSDP of West Bengal was INR 800,868 Cr in 2014-15. The GSDP grew at a CAGR of 11.06 % from 2004-05 to 2014-15. The State’s per capita income was INR 78,903 as on 2014-15

Strategic Location- The State has a strategic location due to proximity to the vast markets of Eastern, North-Eastern and Northern India, as well as access to the ASEAN and SAARC region

Tourism in West Bengal

Tourism Profile INR 2570 Million-Tourism budget allocated for 2015-16.

It has witnessed phenomenal increase from INR 400 Million in 2010-11

71.6 Million-Total number of tourists visited the State

during 2015

17.33%-CAGR of tourist arrivals during the period 2005-

2015

2213-Total number of room supply in Kolkata (2015-16)

67%-Occupancy rate for Kolkata, the 3rd best performing

hotel market in 2015-16

10,000-Target number of branded hotel accommodation

rooms to be available in the State by 2020 as per the West Bengal Tourism Policy-2016

CAGR of 17.33% for the period

2005-2015

14.5 16.5 19.7 20.4 21.7 22.3 23.5 23.9

26.7

50.4

71.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Tourism Trends in West Bengal (in million)

Tourist Arrivals Total tourist footfall: 71.69 million in 2015 contributing 4.9% of Indian tourist visits

22.73 25.54

49.00

70.20

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2012 2013 2014 2015

In M

illi

on

1.22 1.24 1.37

1.49

0

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

2

2012 2013 2014 2015

In M

illi

on

Domestic Tourist Arrivals Rank: Retained the rank 8th in 2015 with a total of 70.2 million visitors

Foreign Tourist Arrivals Rank: Climbed to rank 5th in 2015 with a total 1.49 million visitors from rank 6th in 2014

Domestic tourist arrivals Foreign tourist arrivals

Important Tourist Circuits and Destinations a. Existing

Tourism Policy 2016 has identified six primary tourist circuits as under:

Darjeeling Himalayas

Dooars Foothills

Bengal Heritage

Sunderbans

Coastal Bengal

Kolkata

b. Upcoming Coastal Circuit (Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme):

o Udaypur-Digha-Shankarpur-Tajpur-Mandarmani-Bakkhali-Henry

Island-Frazerganj

Darjeeling Himalayas

Dooars Foothills

Bengal Heritage

Kolkata

Coastal Bengal & Sunderbans

Key Tourist Attractions Tourism Sector Key Tourist Destinations

Hill Station

Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Lava Lolegaon, Mirik, Sandakphu, etc.

Forest Dooars, Jaldapara, Gorumara, Sundarbans

Heritage Bishnupur, Murshidabad, Purulia, Malda, Birbhum, Hooghly, Burdwan, West Midnapore, Cooch Behar, etc

Beaches Digha, Shankarpur, Mandarmoni, Bakkhali, Gangasagar, Tajpur, etc

Religious Gangasagar, Belur Math, Dakshineswar, Kalighat, Tarapith, Nadia, Bolla Kali Temple, Nakhoda Masjid, Furfura Sharif, Imambara, St. Paul's Cathedral, St. James' Church, etc

Cultural Shantiniketan, Kolkata, etc

Kolkata Sunderbans National Park

Digha

Dooars

Darjeeling

West Bengal is the winner of East India Travel Awards East 2016 as the ‘Best Experiential Destination’

Tribal, Cultural Heritage

West Bengal reflects the rich cultural heritage and traditional legacy through important destinations like Shantiniketan, Sunderbans, Darjeeling, Purulia, Bihnupur, Nabadwip, Chandannagar and also Kolkata which is the capital of the State

Folk music and dances like Baul, Kirtan and Chau Dance are famous around the world

There are variety of tribes found in every nook and corners of the State. Bauls, Santhal, Paharia, Lephcas, Bhutiyas, Chero, Khariya, Garo and Lohara are amongst the popular tribes of West Bengal

Basanta Utsav, Shantiniketan Tibetan New Year

Chhau Folk Dance Baul Folk Songs

Cultural Extravaganza of Bengal

Unique Attractions

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

West Bengal is the only State in the country to have the icy snow bound Himalayas in the north, Bay of Bengal at its south and temperate plains and plateaus covering the remaining region

West Bengal is also home to two UNESCO world heritage sites viz. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Sunderbans National Park

Sunderbans National Park Sagardwip

Film Tourism: The Bengali Film Industry popularly known as Tollywood is recognized for producing India’s most critically acclaimed global Parallel Cinema and Art Films with several filmmakers gained international acclaim and prominence at the Indian National Film Awards

Educational Tourism: Visva-Bharati founded by Asia’s first Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore is a pilgrimage for education and culture. The only Central University in the State, Visva-Bharati has witnessed consistent enrollment of approximately 15% international students each year from the countries like Bangladesh, Japan, US and Canada amongst others

Durga Puja Festival

Kolkata International Film Festival

Visva-Bharati University

Success Story-Marketing & Branding

Intensive promotional campaign ranged from commercials in TV and FM to participation in almost all major trade fairs and festivals at National and International level

Promotion through TV campaign on ‘Discovery’, ‘BBC World’, ‘Euro News’ to attract the tourists of UK, America, Western Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia

Launched new logo of West Bengal Tourism ‘Experience Bengal’ with a tagline ‘The Sweetest Part of India’

Widespread promotional initiatives coupled with tourism infrastructure development has resulted in an

increase of tourist arrivals from 26.7 million in 2013 to 50.4 million in 2014 registering 88.76% growth

Launched Mobile App on the theme of ‘Experience Bengal’

Shah Rukh Khan has been roped in as the brand ambassador of the State to feature in the promotional video of West Bengal Tourism

Success Story-Kolkata Christmas Festival

Park Street & Allen Park

The Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal in association with esteemed members of the Christian Community and Kolkata Police has been organizing Kolkata Christmas Festival during the last five years. The event is one of its kind Street Festival in the country that, over the years, has witnessed exciting participation of foreign tourists. Further to attract more foreign tourists the State Govt. has also planned to promote Mother Teresa’s Motherhouse in Kolkata as pilgrimage hub.

Last two weeks of December

Attractions: Live Entertainment, Carol Songs, Light & Sound Exhibition, Delicacies from different communities like Anglo Indian, Goan, Chinese, Bengali, Malyali, Nepali and Parsi amongst others

Promotional Campaign of the festival through TV, FM and hoardings

Existing Investor Base 1. List of Investors in Tourism Segment Taj, ITC, The Park, The Lalit, Oberoi, Hyatt, Accor, Ambuja Neotia, Golden Chariot Retreats, Sterling Holiday & Resorts amongst

others 2. Large Hotel Chain (Existing and prospective) Kolkata has around 2000 upscale hotel rooms spread across domestic hotel chains like Taj Group’s Taj Bengal and Gateway, ITC,

Park, the Lalit Great Eastern and Oberoi and International hotel brands like Swisshotel, Hyatt, Carlson Rezidor’s Park Plaza and Accor’s Novotel.

Upcoming hotels in West Bengal: Hotel Location Operational date No of rooms Estimated Investment (in INR Cr)

Domestic

ITC Hotel Kolkata II Kolkata 2016-17 490 1000

The Park II Kolkata Planned N.A. 500

International

Holiday Inn

(Intercontinental Hotels Group)

Kolkata 2016-17 130 300

Siliguri 2019-20 100

Durgapur 2019-20 120

Crowne Plaza

(Intercontinental Hotels Group)

Kolkata 2020-21 280 450

JW Marriott Kolkata 2016-17 300 1000

Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri Siliguri 2017-18 141 N.A.

Park Hyatt Kolkata N.A. N.A. N.A.

Policy Snapshot

West Bengal Tourism Policy- 2016

Capturing the Fair Share: 1. Tourist Arrival: To achieve a growth rate in excess of 10% year to year over the next 5 years 2. Investment: To increase the availability of branded hotel accommodation room in the State to 10000 by 2020. 3. Identification of new tourist destinations: New destinations are to be identified with backward and forward linkages and develop these into proper tourism products 4. Marketing: Greater emphasis on branding of West Bengal tourism with the new logo and repositioning it effectively in the domestic and international market through a 360 degree promotional campaign

Lead in Sustainable Development: 1. Economic Sustainability: Various strategies will be adopted for optimal use of existing resources to achieve a responsible and beneficial balance in the long term 2. Environment Sustainability: Emphasis will be on conservation and management of natural resources 3. Social Sustainability: Tourism will be developed through community engagement, generation of local livelihood options and by increasing the quality of employment. Social sustainability is reflected in safety and standards to be maintained around the tourism destinations

STRATEGIES

Vision: To capture a fair share of domestic and international tourist footfall in the country and also to attain the status of being the most preferred tourist destination in the country.

Objectives: • Capturing the fair share of domestic and international tourists • Taking a lead in sustainable development over the next five years

Circuits/ Clusters

Darjeeling Himalayas

Dooars foothils

Bengal Heritage

Coastal Bengal

Kolkata

Sunderbans Mangrove

West Bengal Incentive Scheme-2015 Incentive Type Description

Interest Subsidy to new

tourism units

Interest subsidy ranging from 50%-75% of the annual interest liability on the term loan borrowed from a Financial

Institution subject to a maximum limit of INR 30 lakhs for 7 years

Capital Subsidy to new

tourism units

State Capital Investment Subsidy ranging from 7.5%-25% subject to a limit of INR 175 lakhs

Stamp Duty Concessions Reimbursement of Stamp Duty ranging from 50%-70%

Registration Charges Reimbursement of Registration Fee ranging from 50%-70%

Subsidy for Quality

Improvement

An eligible unit shall be reimbursed 50% of the fixed capital investment expenditure incurred for quality

improvement, modernization, and installation of pollution control devices and obtaining ISI/BIS/ISO certification

subject to a maximum of INR 7.5 lakhs

Electricity Duty Waiver of electricity duty for a period of 5 years from the date of commercial operation on reimbursement basis

Incentive on Generation of

Employment

An eligible unit will be entitled to an additional employment generation to the extent of 60% of the expenditure

incurred by it for paying its contribution towards Employees State Insurance and EPF scheme for a period of 5

years

Incentives for Adventure Tour

Operators

An eligible unit, which has been qualified for bringing in more than 50 International Tourists or 100 Domestic

Tourists in a financial year shall be entitled to an additional incentive for purchase of adventure sports equipments

by way of reimbursement of VAT ranging from 100% -50%

Incentives for Mega Projects Mega Projects will be entitled for availing exclusive incentives through State Capital investment subsidy,

generation of employment, reimbursement on stamp duty and registration fee, waiver of electricity duty, capacity

utilization, incentives for adventure tour operators, luxury tax exemption and tourism promotional assistance

Institutional Framework

Procedures for availing incentives

All applications for grant of incentives with necessary documentation shall have to be submitted to the Managing

Director, West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited. The total value of incentives shall not be exceed 100%

of the fixed capital investment in any case

No claim under the incentive scheme shall be entertained, if the Tourism Unit has defaulted in payment of any

applicable taxes

Strategies adopted under Ease of Doing Business

Single Window: Setup a single window (Shilpa Sathi) for large industries and MSME Facilitation Centre (MFC) for

MSMEs. As part of Shilpa Sathi, Department representatives physically come to the single window on defined days to

monitor progress and expedite clearances

Infrastructure: Defined clear timelines for electricity, water and sewer connections

Infrastructure: Implemented an online application for electricity connections

Land: Implemented an online application for property registration and payment

Environment: Exempted 49 industries/activities from pollution control board clearances as a prerequisite to start

business

Investment Opportunities

Project Investment Opportunities

Development of Convention Hall and allied facilities under MICE Tourism

Area:3 Acres Location: On NH-31, 10km from Siliguri, 4km from Bagdogra Airport

Nearby Tourist Destinations: Siliguri, Dabgram, Kurseong, Mirik

Project Implementation: PPP

Proposed Investment: As per offer

Salient Features

Convention Centre Multi-cuisine Restaurant

Accommodation Facilities State Support Provide land and other infrastructural facilities

Located on NH-31

NJP Railway Station at around 25 kms

Bagdogra Airport at 4km

Project Investment Opportunities

Development of Jangal Mahal Tourism Circuit

Project Development Cost: DPR is under preparation

Location: Jhargram, Medinipur West

Project Implementation: PPP

Key Features: Investment would aim towards improving basic tourism infrastructure and development of tourist amenities at the identified project sites

Opportunity for Private Investors: Development and Operations of Tourist Amenities

NH 6 is at 109 kms

Jhargram Railway Station is well connected with major cities of the country

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport of Kolkata at 155 kms

Nearby Tourist Destinations: Jhargram Palace, Deer Park, Rabindra Park, Chilkigarh Raj Palace, Kanark Durga Temple, Dulung River, Alampur, Kendua, Mukutmanipur

Project Investment Opportunities

Development of Amusement Park

Area of Land: 18 Acres

Location: Digha, East Midnapore district Nearby Tourist Destinations: Shankarpur, Mandarmoni

Project Implementation: DBFOT basis

Proposed Investment: INR 40 Cr (approx)

Implementing Agency: Digha Sankarpur Development Authority

Construction of Marine Aquarium/Arrangement of Dolphin Show

Area of Land: 3.5 Acres

Proposed Investment: INR 20 Cr (approx)

Project Implementation: PPP

Construction of Shopping Mall

Area of Land: 10 Acres

Proposed Investment: INR 20 Cr (approx)

Project Implementation: PPP

Project Objective: Promotion of local handicrafts in line with Chokhi Dhani, Rajasthan

State Support: Facilitate the developer on best effort basis for obtaining necessary clearances and approval for the project implementation and operation

Located at around 190 km from Kolkata

Digha is well connected with railway network from Kolkata

NSC Bose International Airport is one of the famous and nearest airport to reach Digha

Project Investment Opportunities

Mega Eco Tourism Hub at Gajoldoba

The Gajoldoba Tourism Hub is being structured as an Integrated Multi-Product Mega Tourism Park situated in Dooars in North Bengal. The project will consist of development of Eco Resort,Hospitality Training Institute, Amusement Park and Golf Course amongst others.

Area of Land: 208 acres

Proposed Investment: INR 1500 Cr

Project Implementation: Long Term Lease

State Support: Tourism Department has so far spent over INR 100 Cr for basic infrastructure development like road connectivity, power, water supply, inner arterial roads, street lighting amongst others

Site Map of Gajoldoba

Location: Mal Block, Jalpaiguri District, besides Teesta Barrage

Project Investment Opportunities

Jharkhali Eco Tourism Hub

The eco-tourism hub would have high end resorts, budget hotels, cottages, lake, club house, among others

Area of Land: 43 acres

Proposed Investment: INR 400 Cr Project Implementation: Long Term Lease

State Support: Tourism Department has so far spent over INR 25 Cr for basic infrastructure development like road connectivity, power, water supply, construction of jetties amongst others

Site Map of Jharkhali

Salient Features:

Location: Basanti Block, South 24 Parganas

Project Investment Opportunities

River Tourism

The project envisages operation of Water Taxi/House Boat/Floating Restaurant, Daily cruise in Kolkata and short cruises up and down the Ganges/Sunderbans

Proposed Investment: As per offer

State Support: Facilitate to obtain necessary clearances and approval for the project

Salient Features:

Location: Kolkata & Sunderbans

Kolkata,Ganges

Sunderbans

Water Taxi

Water Cruise

Existing Investor: Vivada Cruise and Heritage River Journeys have been successfully operating cruises in the State

Project Investment Opportunities

Development of Passenger Ropeway

Proposed Investment: INR 10 Cr (approx)

State Support: Facilitate to obtain necessary clearances and approval for the project

Location: Kurseong to Mirik, Mukutmanipur across the dam, Ajodhya Hill

Project Implementation: DBFMO

Project Feature: The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation in consultation with the concerned District Administration will identify, possess and allow suitable land along the proposed alignment for constructing both the stations and the investor shall establish and operate the said passenger ropeway as per detail layout plan at the location after commissioning of the ropeway

Kurseong-Mirik, Darjeeling District Mukutmanipur, Bankura District

Ajodhya Hill, Purulia District

Project Investment Opportunities

Hop on, Hop off Bus Service

Proposed Investment: As per offer

Location: Kolkata

State Support: Facilitate to obtain

necessary clearances and approval for the

project implementation and operation

Key Tourist Attractions: Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Science City, Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, Prinsep Ghat, Kolkata Trams, Writers’ Building, Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Shaheed Minar

HOP-ON HOP-OFF SIGHTSEEING

Project Investment Opportunities

Fast Food Restaurant

Proposed Investment: As per offer

Location: Digha, Shantiniketan, Bishnupur, Siliguri, Baharampore, Barrackpore, Diamond Harbour

State Support: Facilitate to provide space at tourist

lodges (TL) maintained by West Bengal Tourism

Development Corporation (Digha TL, Shantiniketan TL,

BishnupurTL, Mainak TL, Beharampur TL, Malancha TL,

Sagarika TL)

Project Implementation: On Contract Basis

Key Tourist Attractions

Digha

Bishnupur Shantiniketan

Barrackpore Baharampore Diamond Harbour Siliguri

Project Investment Opportunities

Development of Way Side Amenities

The project envisages providing wayside amenities such as quality rest, food & amenities to tourists travelling by road along the Science City-Godkhali Route in coordination with Tourism Department and PWD Department, Govt. of West Bengal

Proposed Investment: As per offer

State Support: Facilitate the developer on best effort basis for obtaining necessary clearances and approval for the project implementation and operation

Salient Features:

Location: Science City-Godkhali Route (Gateway to the Sunderbans)

Route Map (Science City-Godkhali)

Nearby Tourist Attractions: Sunderbans National Park, Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, Bhagatpur Crocodile Project, Dublar Char Island, Piyali, Netidhopani, Halliday Island