LEAD NEWS:  WEST BENGAL TOURISM DRAWS HISTORIC RS.12,534 CRORES INVESTMENT BOOST, 22,000 JOBS PROMISED

LEAD NEWS:  WEST BENGAL TOURISM DRAWS HISTORIC RS.12,534 CRORES INVESTMENT BOOST, 22,000 JOBS PROMISED

BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY

KOLKATA | 29 SEPTEMBER 2026

Marking what it termed a historic turning point in the state’s economic resurgence, the Government of West Bengal hosted an exclusive Investors’ Meet on the occasion of World Tourism Day on Sunday at the Taj Bengal’s Crystal Hall where tourism minister Dr. Shankar Ghosh has announced investment proposals worth over Rs.12,534 crores and employment opportunity for 22,000 people within 150 days of assuming charge.

“This massive Rs.12530 crores fresh proposal in the tourism sector received today before the upcoming announcement of the state industrial and tourism policy, which will give even more thrust to these sectors .Today we have called those investors who are willing to investment over Rs.100 crores in the tourism sector and for them single window policy will be implemented,” announced Dr. Shankar Ghosh.

Just as a defined economic structure shapes the future of the Gulf nations, a surging tourism industry will serve as a cornerstone for West Bengal’s development. Mirroring India’s robust GDP growth, the tourism sector has grown remarkably stronger and is poised to play a decisive, vital role in driving the state’s long-term economic progress, the minister said.

The high-profile event saw the participation of top state officials, including Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, Tourism Minister Dr. Shankar Ghosh, and Minister of State for Tourism Purnima Chakraborty, alongside Additional Chief Secretary Barun Kumar Roy, Tourism secretary, Soumitra Sankar Sengupta, MD of WBTDCL Sumant Sahay etc. Leading industrialist Harshavardhan Neotia attended the meet, which drew 36 major investors from the tourism and hospitality sectors, alongside several other dignitaries.

“From its mist-covered mountains to its sun-washed seas, and from untamed wilderness to a rich tapestry of historical architecture, West Bengal possesses immense potential to become a global tourism hub. This forum serves as a critical platform to unlock that potential—driving fresh investments, building robust infrastructure, and shaping strategic dialogues to elevate the state’s tourism landscape.Tourism is far more than just an industry; it is a vital lifeline that supports countless lives and livelihoods across the region. By channeling new investments, upgrading infrastructure, and implementing sustainable development across key destinations, our mission is two-fold: to generate extensive employment opportunities and to position West Bengal as a captivating, accessible destination for both domestic and international travelers,” Dr. Shankar Ghosh added.

Addressing the industry captains, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta highlighted West Bengal’s immense tourism potential and emphasized the current administration’s focus on the “ease of doing business.” Dasgupta candidly pointed out the structural bottlenecks of the pre-existing system, contrasting them with the “new energy and emphasis” being driven by the current government to revitalise the state’s economy.

Minister of State for Tourism Purnima Chakraborty showcased the vast geographical and cultural diversity of West Bengal’s destinations, positioning the state as a prime hub for diverse tourism portfolios.

In a passionate address to hospitality leaders and investors, the Minister-in-Charge of Tourism warmly welcomed the gathering, describing them as “lion-like leaders” chosen to bring prosperity to the state. The Minister emphasized that generating employment and enabling citizens to live with dignity and self-respect represents the highest form of public service.

Harshvardhan Neotia said that the tourism sector is the highest employment generator with every crore rupees invested and the Ambuja Neotia Group will work together with the state government  to fulfil the dreams of PM Narendra Modi in the tourism sector  in the country. “ I believe tourism can provide significant opportunity for employment in West Bengal,”he added.

Overcoming Decades of Stagnation:
The state leadership launched a sharp critique against the prolonged economic stagnation of the past 50 years. Government representatives noted that during this period, employment generation had fallen to near-zero levels due to a lack of investments, political inertia, greed, corruption, and nepotism.

Reassuring the investor community, the State Government firmly underscored that these “dark phases” are now in the past, promising a transparent, proactive, and business-friendly environment rooted in true Indian ethos to drive West Bengal’s future growth.

In a major boost to its industrial transformation, West Bengal has unlocked investor commitments totaling Rs.12,534 crore under the theme “From Intent to Investment.” Driven by the governance of Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari and aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national economic agenda, the massive capital inflow is projected to create more than 22,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state’s tourism landscape.

The investments are divided into two primary sectoral components:

• Urban Hospitality Expansion: Top hotel brands and business groups—including Ambuja Neotia Group, Apeejay Surendra Group (The Park), KKG, EVARA Hospitality, MLA Group, The Jain Group, Hilton & Beekay, and Sonerio Hotels—have announced large-scale projects to scale up urban lodging.
• Tea Tourism & Ecological Hotspots: To tap into the ecological potential of North Bengal, major projects are being anchored by Luxmi Tea Co., BLG Group, L.R. Agro (ITC Mementos), Hurdeodass Co. (Matigara), Dzongri Properties, LBS Hotel & Resorts, and Four Vedas Hotel & Resorts.

State officials noted that these projects mark an unprecedented era of economic growth, positioning West Bengal as a prominent hub for both premium business hospitality and leisure travel.

The Department of Tourism has announced a comprehensive sectoral redesign leveraging a robust Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to mark World Tourism Day 2026. Unveiled by the Minister for Tourism and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Shankar Ghosh, the initiative focuses on smart destination management, global outreach, and elevating traveler experiences across West Bengal. This modernization drive aligns with key heritage, wellness, and leisure infrastructure projects spearheaded by prominent hospitality leaders, including the Hotel Sonar Bangla Group, Bari Kothi Heritage Hotels, Sree Balaji Group, Tulsa Group, Pomesh Health Care, and Satya Spa & Resorts.

As part of this digital transformation, the Minister launched www.shankarghosh.in, a brand-new bilingual digital platform and dedicated mobile application. The new portal establishes a direct line of communication with citizens and industry stakeholders, allowing users to submit business proposals, share innovative ideas, or lodge complaints directly with the leadership.

In a bid to position West Bengal as a premier global travel hub, the state tourism department has launched an aggressive expansion strategy targeting unexplored landscapes and niche markets. Driven by a mission to “turn every pebble,” the department’s ultimate strategic goal is to transform the state into a major foreign currency earner for India through modern, sustainable, and technology-enabled tourism initiatives.

The event concluded with an inspiring call to action for the international investor community: “Come to West Bengal…! Invest in West Bengal..! Where India feels different.”