Industry hails West Bengal’s rise to the nation’s second‑largest destination for foreign tourists

PARTHA ROY, KOLKATA: CII West Bengal extends warm congratulations to the Government of West Bengal for securing the second national rank in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs), as per the India Tourism Data Compendium 2025. This milestone reflects a robust 15.4% growth in Foreign Tourist Visits, surging from 2.7 million to 3.1 million in 2024, with 2.76 lakh arrivals in Kolkata alone—highlighting the state’s rising global tourism appeal.

Mr. Debashis Dutta, CII West Bengal Chairman and BGS Group Director, praised the government’s proactive initiatives and expressed eagerness for continued collaboration to elevate West Bengal’s global tourism stature.

Mr. Vijay Dewan, MD of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, commended the focused infrastructure and marketing efforts, vowing CII’s partnership to make it India’s premier destination.

Ms. Debasree Roy Sarkar, MD of Peerless Hotels, noted the compendium’s emphasis on tourism’s economic role, aligning with the state’s vision to boost hospitality, skilled jobs, and infrastructure.