Macroview

E&Y to chart tourism promotion strategies for Bengal

Joy Roy Choudhury - Kolkata

International consultancy firm Ernst & Young has been given the mandate by the West Bengal Tourism Department to draw a roadmap for promotion of tourism. Sources indicate that the consultant would act as an advisor to the department and act as its partner in implementing major tourism projects in the state. It will also guide the department in marketing the tourism potential of Bengal on different platforms.

The department had been toying with the idea of appointing a global consultant to help it to position Bengal as a global tourist destination and attract private investments into the sector. It had issued a notice inviting proposals from globally renowned consultancy firms for providing their services for preparation of a sector strategy and implementation plan for overall development of tourism in the state.

Commenting on the development, Dr GD Gautama, principal secretary (tourism department), Government of West Bengal, said, "Ernst & Young will help us in preserving ancient monuments at Bishnupur and Gaur and provide us with inputs on marketing our strengths." He added that it will also advise them on creation of new employment opportunities in this sector.

Based on the recommendations, the department will appoint a public relations agency to take care of branding, managing events and showcasing tourist destinations professionally. "Our vision is to position Bengal as an important destination in the global tourism map by 2010," he said.

The state tourism department had made its debut as a participant at the recently concluded ITB in Berlin. "This was a learning experience for us. We were there to market our state's tourism potential and get acquainted with the latest developments of the global tourism market," Dr Gautama said.