Sandakphu tea festival among new tourism plans
The Bengal tourism department is considering a festival at Sandakphu in Darjeeling focused on the region’s tea heritage.
The proposed event is expected to be combined with a vintage car rally, creating a tourism programme that brings together the hill landscape, tea culture and heritage motoring.
Tourism minister Shankar Ghosh announced the proposal during a meeting with representatives of the tourism industry in Chalsa in Jalpaiguri’s Matiali block.
The Sandakphu initiative is part of the department’s broader effort to create events around attractions that are closely associated with individual districts.
Darjeeling is already one of Bengal’s most prominent tourism destinations, known for its Himalayan landscape, tea gardens and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. A dedicated tea festival at Sandakphu would add another event-based attraction to the region’s tourism calendar.
Purulia may host palash flower festival
A separate festival has been proposed in Purulia to celebrate the seasonal blooming of palash, also known as Bengal Kino.
The bright red and orange flowers are closely associated with the landscape of Purulia and the wider western districts of Bengal during spring.
The proposed festival would use the seasonal transformation of the region as a tourism attraction while highlighting the district’s natural and cultural character.
The initiative reflects the tourism department’s stated objective of creating destination-specific events instead of concentrating promotional activities only around established tourist centres.
Such festivals could also provide opportunities for local businesses, accommodation providers, guides, transport operators and artisans to participate in tourism-related activities.
Government targets wider tourism promotion
Ghosh said the state was seeking to position West Bengal as an international tourism destination.
The minister said the tourism department would participate in a tourism exhibition in London in December as part of its promotional efforts.
The proposed international outreach is intended to increase awareness of Bengal among overseas travellers and present the state’s different tourism circuits to a wider audience.
Bengal has a diverse tourism portfolio, ranging from the Himalayan districts in the north to the forests and tribal cultural landscape of western Bengal, as well as coastal destinations, heritage towns and religious sites.
The department is looking to use this diversity as part of its wider tourism strategy.
₹12,624 crore investment proposals received
The minister also said several corporate groups had expressed interest in developing tourism-related projects in Bengal.
According to Ghosh, investment proposals worth ₹12,624 crore have been received so far.
He said such investments could contribute to local economic activity and create employment opportunities.
The proposals cover tourism-related development across different parts of the state, although the minister did not provide a detailed district-wise or project-wise breakdown of the proposed investments.
The actual economic impact will depend on how many of the proposals eventually translate into approved and completed projects.
For the tourism sector, private investment could potentially expand accommodation capacity, improve visitor facilities and create new attractions.
Tourism businesses asked to meet regulations
Alongside promotion and investment, Ghosh stressed the importance of regulatory compliance within the tourism industry.
He said tourism businesses would need to complete their digital registration through the state tourism department’s website.
The minister also warned that establishments found to be operating without mandatory licences or failing to meet safety requirements could face action.
The warning followed a recent incident at a homestay in Sittong, where a woman suffered burns after a barbecue caught fire.
According to Ghosh, a subsequent inspection of the property found several deficiencies, including the absence of required licences.
He said similar violations would attract strict action if discovered during inspections.
Focus on fire and licensing requirements
The minister's remarks highlighted the need for tourism businesses to comply with requirements relating to trade licences, fire safety, registration and other mandatory approvals.
The tourism department is seeking greater digital registration of tourism establishments, which could help authorities maintain a more comprehensive database of operating hotels, homestays and other accommodation providers.
For visitors, compliance with safety and licensing rules is particularly important because tourism properties can involve cooking equipment, electrical installations, open flames and other potential hazards.
The Sittong incident has therefore become part of the department’s broader emphasis on enforcing regulatory standards.
Ghosh said inspections would continue and that properties found to have serious deficiencies could face action.
Jalpaiguri asked to identify new destination
During the Chalsa meeting, the tourism minister asked Jalpaiguri district magistrate Aditi Chaudhary to identify a tourism destination within the district and prepare a detailed report for the department.
The instruction reflects the government's focus on developing lesser-known destinations alongside established tourist centres.
Jalpaiguri has considerable tourism potential because of its forests, wildlife reserves, tea landscapes, heritage locations and religious sites.
The district also serves as an important gateway for visitors travelling towards the Dooars and the Himalayan foothills.
Identifying additional destinations could help distribute tourist traffic more widely and create opportunities for communities outside the better-known tourism centres.
Tourist helpline proposed for Jalpaiguri
Ghosh also asked district police chief Sujata Binapani to introduce a dedicated tourist helpline.
The proposed service would provide assistance to visitors who encounter difficulties while travelling in the district.
A tourism-focused helpline could help visitors access police assistance, report emergencies or seek guidance when facing problems during their stay.
The move forms part of the department’s broader emphasis on creating a safer and more visitor-friendly tourism environment.
Improved coordination between tourism officials, police and local administrations could also help address issues faced by tourists more quickly.
Jalpaiguri's tourism potential
The minister highlighted the range of attractions available in Jalpaiguri.
The district includes forest areas, wildlife habitats, heritage locations and religious destinations, offering opportunities for several forms of tourism.
Wildlife and nature tourism are particularly important in the Dooars, while the district’s proximity to the Himalayan region gives it potential for adventure and experiential tourism.
Despite this range of attractions, Ghosh pointed out that Jalpaiguri does not currently have a five-star hotel.
He said a comprehensive plan was required to increase the number and quality of attractions and facilities so that tourist footfall could rise.
Stakeholders discuss tourism development
The Chalsa meeting brought together representatives from different parts of the tourism ecosystem.
Private hotel and resort operators, tourist guides, drivers and government officials attended the stakeholder conference.
Their participation allowed the department to discuss issues involving tourism infrastructure, visitor services, regulation and destination development.
For tourism businesses, better infrastructure and higher visitor numbers could create opportunities for expansion. At the same time, the government's emphasis on registration and compliance indicates that increased tourism activity will be accompanied by closer regulatory scrutiny.
District-based tourism strategy
The proposed tea and palash festivals illustrate the government's attempt to build tourism around attractions specific to particular parts of Bengal.
Instead of relying solely on major destinations such as Darjeeling, Digha or Kolkata, the strategy could involve creating seasonal events and experiences linked to local landscapes, traditions and products.
A tea festival at Sandakphu would highlight Darjeeling’s association with tea and the Himalayas, while a palash festival in Purulia would draw attention to the distinctive spring landscape of western Bengal.
Such events can potentially encourage visitors to plan trips around specific seasons and experiences.
Bengal looks to expand tourism footprint
The tourism department's plans combine destination promotion, private investment, international marketing and regulatory enforcement.
The proposed festivals are intended to give districts new tourism attractions, while the reported ₹12,624 crore in investment proposals could support infrastructure and accommodation if the projects materialise.
The planned participation in a London tourism exhibition will provide another platform for promoting Bengal outside India.
At the same time, the emphasis on digital registration, safety and licensing indicates that the government is seeking greater oversight of tourism businesses as the sector expands.
The success of the strategy will depend on how effectively proposed investments are implemented, new destinations are developed and local communities participate in the tourism economy.
For now, the Sandakphu tea festival and Purulia palash celebration remain proposals, but they represent a shift towards promoting Bengal through district-specific attractions and seasonal experiences.
