March 3rd, 2014, Kolkata: This is the first time that West Bengal government is participating at the ITB Berlin – The Berlin Internationale Tourismus-Börse to promote the state’s tourism potential at the fair. In all previous occasions the state had been a part of the India pavilion at the Messe. The state tourism department will set up stall from 5th to 9th March 2014, displaying tourism products from snow caps in Darjeeling to the gentle rolling seas at Digha. The USP of participation at the ITB Berlin is to exclusively focus the tourism opportunities in the state by marketing them to tour operators across the world. Thus leading tour operators, hoteliers, airlines from West Bengal, and the state tourism department will promote armed with packages looking forward to forge ties with buyers.
Participation at the ITB Berlin comes after successful promotions earlier at the Singapore Tourism Fair and WTM London. Speaking on the occasion Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury the State Tourism Minister said, “The state has unique geographical and cultural diversities with unbelievable tourist potential not promoted earlier. The present state government under active guidance of Hon’ble Chief Minister Smt. Mamata Banerjee, has taken steps to promote tourism in Bengal from all corners by upgrading infrastructure of Kolkata international airport, road connectivity throughout the state making it ready to welcome tourist from all over the world”.
He also mentioned that, “West Bengal, a state of incredible India, is characterized by its extraordinary features from all directions. During the British regime Bengal was the Capital of India that shifted to Delhi in early 20th century. Thus countless architectural establishments of British colonial culture are found in Kolkata, the capital of Bengal viz. West Bengal, are tourist attractions worldwide. In West Bengal the Bay of Bengal and its back waters Sunderbans is famous for its mangroves and the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger, various birds and has a crocodile project. It is a land of extraordinary natural beauty. He mentioned that “Bolpur Shantiniketan, near Kolkata is the dream establishment of World Poet Rabindra Nath Tagor, Belur at Howrah is where Swami Vivekananda’s cenotaph can be found while the Dakshineswar temple is associated with the memory of great saint Sri Ramkrishna. These are innumerable sites of tourist attraction. North Bengal has Darjeeling, the ‘queen of hill stations’set against the Great Himalayas and the Toy Train that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts tourists from across the world, throughout the year.”
Bengal bears the exclusive heritage of mixed cultures and creed of different religions viz. Hindu, Muslim, Buddhists, Sikh etc. reflected in the countless statues, monuments, mosques, temples spread throughout the state which has abundant natural beauty. Together it is a major tourist attraction to travellers all across the world.
Speaking on the occasion Umapada Chatterjee, Director Tourism said “West Bengal, a State of Incredible India, is full of diversity. It has snow-peaked mountain in the North and Mangrove in Sunderban which is abode of Royal Bengal Tiger. It has a rich Cultural Heritage, European Colonial Heritage etc. It is rich in festivity and mouth-watering cuisine.
Modernised Kolkata International Airport is connected with many countries and inside the State, Airlines and Helicopter services are available for travelling inside the State. Upgraded infrastructures in Tourism Sector are ready to welcome all of you. Please visit and experience Bengal”.
Participation at ITB Berlin is considered important as all major tourism players in the world congregate at the fair. The fair had a turnover of 190 million Euros (2011: 180 million) a new record at the Messe Berlin. During the financial year 2013 58 in-house and guest events attracted around 26,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries. In 2013 over 1.5 million visitors from Germany and abroad attended the company’s events of whom 550,000 were trade visitors more than half of whom were from abroad. Thus B2B meetings with the tourism fraternity from West Bengal and the government will help identify opportunities in marketing West Bengal and help in shaping future strategies. The fair will also help promote West Bengal’s tourism potential to thousands of journalists and industry’s leading trade magazines, business and travel journalists from more than a 100 countries.