Bengal govt preparing tourist data bank on travellers' preferences

Kolkata, Jul 10 (PTI) West Bengal Tourism Minister Sankar Ghosh on Friday said the state government is working on preparing a tourist data bank focusing on travellers' preferences with assistance from IIT-Kharagpur. He said the government is also preparing a comprehensive homestay policy to facilitate all stakeholders, from travellers to service providers. "We are preparing data on what kind of travellers are choosing West Bengal as a tourist destination and their requirements," the minister said at the inauguration of the three-day Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF), Kolkata. "With the help of this data bank, we will promote the products of our state for tourists," Ghosh said. He said the Tourism Department is preparing a homestay policy for which it will seek suggestions from homestay associations and other stakeholders. Ghosh called for planned activities for ensuring sustainable tourism in the state. Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte and Consul-General, Royal Thai Consulate-General, Khun Siriporn Tantipanyathep, were the guests of honour at the inauguration of the TTF held at Biswa Bangla fair ground here. The three-day event, organised ahead of the Durga Puja festival and the winter travel booking season, brings together tourism boards, travel companies, hospitality brands, airlines and travel technology providers from across India and overseas, a TTF official said. He said that the 2026 edition of the fair features over 500 exhibitors from 21 Indian states and six countries, including Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, USA and Vietnam. PTI AMR RBT