• PAGE ONE
• INDEX
• HOME

Develop yachting resorts, task force tells Bengal

Our Bureau

CALCUTTA, June 4

THE task force (TF) on the development of services sector in West Bengal, in its recommendations on the tourism sector, has suggested that the State Government could take a leaf out of Andhra Pradesh and develop yachting resorts similar to the one at Hus sainsagar in Hyderabad.

The TF on services sector was one of the six such panels set up by the West Bengal Government after the `Destination West Bengal' investors' meet in January 1999. The Government is now considering these reports.

Given the fact that yachting was a popular pastime for adventure tourists, the task force felt that this activity could be encouraged in areas such as Barrackpore in the North 24 Parganas and Maithon on the Bengal-Bihar border, which could be developed a s yachting resorts on the lines of what had been done at Hussainsagar, where annual regattas are also held.

The report strongly favoured a shift from conventional sightseeing tourism to promotion of non-traditional type of tourism which was becoming increasingly popular with tourists from within the country and abroad.

It noted that given West Bengal's diversity, there was potential to promote wildlife tourism in the Sundarbans, safaris in North Bengal and trekking and mountaineering in Darjeeling. Yachting could add another dimension to these activities.

Internationally-reputed agencies specialising in adventure sports could be invited by the State Government for developing concrete plans in this regard, it suggested.

Pointing out that the lure of the tea gardens could be encashed upon to further the cause of tourism, the task force opined that the holding of annual tea and tourism festivals, in vogue for the last few years, was a step in the right direction.

To consolidate its position, the State could tap private sector for the construction of bungalow type accommodation close to tea estates so as to recapture the nineteenth century ethos. The package could be completed with guided tours to tea gardens and facilities for golf.

There was considerable scope for organising international conferences in the city, with support from institutions such as Asiatic Society, Viswa Bharati (Shantiniketan) and Indian Statistical Institute, besides the Chambers of Commerce.

This, it noted, would provide the State with opportunities for showcasing its tourism attractions to more people.

The report stated that inspite of having a wide spectrum of locations, West Bengal's share in total foreign arrivals to the country was only two per cent, while its share in attracting domestic tourists was four per cent. Total tourist traffic stood at 4 9 lakhs in 1999 against 48.39 lakhs in 1998 indicating a plateau.