State govt plans comprehensive steps to facilitate mapping of tourism sector

Kolkata: For the first time since Independence, the state Tourism department is coming up with a comprehensive mapping of the tourism sector in Bengal which is a land of diverse natural splendour ranging from the Himalayas to the greenery of Gangetic planes, from serene beaches to mangrove estuaries.

"We are trying to have a more systematic approach towards tourism. The comprehensive mapping of the sector involves a survey of the tourism industry and trade. We have already tendered for it and we are hopeful of getting the results before Durga Puja," said Principal Secretary, Tourism, Atri Bhattacharya at a conference on Urban Infrastructure organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Saturday.

Bhattacharya said the government is also going for publicity and promotion of the tourism sector and have tendered for a continuous round-the-clock public relations (PR) activation company with requisite skills in this area.

He also spoke about the newly launched app called "Hurray" on the basis of which the department will rate tour and hotel operators across the state to facilitate domestic and international tourists when they plan to explore Bengal.

"The tour operators, the hotel or restaurant operators, guides and transport operators are asked to register themselves with this app. When a customer pays the bill, there will be a five-category rating on which he/she will be giving the feedback. The rating will be uploaded through the app and when we get a volume of such reviews, the properties or hotels with good reviews will be linked to our website. This will help tourists to have an idea of the good properties and hotels and accordingly plan their tour," Bhattacharya said.

The Tourism department is also pushing for cycle tracks around Maidan and will also explore the possibility of such facilities in the narrow alleys of North Kolkata where vehicles cannot reach.

"We will be soon holding talks with the Army, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Kolkata Police in this regard," Bhattacharya said.

New Town already has separate cycle tracks or lanes demarcated in many areas, particularly in Action Area-I.