Bengal Govt promoting river tourism in a big way
by Ajitha Menon
Kolkata:
'Ganga Kutir' lies along the banks of the Ganga in
the pastoral hamlet of Raichak-on-Ganges, about an hour
and half's drive from Kolkata, West Bengal. This 12-crore
property sprawling over two acres symbolizes the potential
of River Tourism in the state. It's no wonder then, that
the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation is foreseeing
an investment of Rs 150 crore in the next couple of years
just for promoting river tourism. The investment would
go towards renovating 'heritage ghats' along the Ganges
as well as developing a Marina with speed boats, para-sailing
and cruise boats facilities. There is no doubt that river
tourism targets the high-end tourists. For example, 'Ganga
Kutir' caters to an exclusive set who can drive down from
Kolkata to enjoy a couple of days of total relaxation
in the lap of luxury.
The
resort has 16 rooms priced at Rs 12,000 onwards, a library,
a bar, a Spa, a swimming pool which seems to merge into
the river, river cruise facilities and an excellent restaurant.
According to Mr Harshvardhan Neotia, even though Kolkata
was lacking is such weekend tourist spots, this segment
is now really catching up. Neotia's Ambuja Realty first
set up the five-star hotel 'Fort Raichak' with conference
facilities on the river side at Raichak. The property
continues to have over 60% occupancy through the year
with 100% occupancy in the four months of Oct, Nov, Dec,
January as well as during the holiday season. Neotia says
that 'Fort Raichak's success propelled him to set up 'Ganga
Kutir' - a more exclusive retreat on the river side. In
just two months from its launch in November, 'Ganga Kutir'
has been such a success that Ambuja Realty is planning
to add another 12 rooms to the property. The total project
area now extends to about 70 acres and the projected investment
is Rs 100 crore. The superb Spa facility with Swedish,
Thai, Javanese, Ayurvedic treatments and reflexology and
stone therapy is common to both 'Fort Raichak' and 'Ganga
Kutir' and is a compelling reason for the clients to take
the trip. The very fact that Sri Lankan architectect Channa
Daswatte was called in to design 'Ganga Kutir' in traditional
Bengal Ashram style indicates that promoters are sparing
no efforts to provide world class resorts which re-define
luxury.
West
Bengal has the right specifications to become the river
tourism destination in India with the magnificent delta
Sunderbans with its mangrove forests and the pilgrimage
point Sagar Islands where the Ganga Sagar Mela is held
every year, points out Manabendra Mukherjee, West Bengal
Minister for Tourism. The government has already announced
a new tourism policy with a positive approach towards
river tourism. The policy offers several incentives, grants
and subsidies to investors wanting to invest in this segment.
Though the budgetary support to tourism is only Rs 35
crores, the minister makes it clear that the government
was actively seeking private investment in this sector.
The government is expecting about Rs 4000 crore private
investment, including FDI, in tourism and infrastructure.
Private promoters like Ambuja Realty, who offer private
ferry rides to Sunderbans Delta and Sagar Islands from
its project at Raichak say that development in river and
road infrastructure would go a long way in attracting
tourists.
According
to Mr T V N Rao, Managing Director, West Bengal Tourism
Development Corporation, there was great scope for investment
in river tourism in the state starting from hotels along
the banks of the Ganges, river entertainment, infrastructural
development of the Sunderbans Delta area, which is still
very undeveloped etc. There is also tremendous potential
for investment in Tea Tourism in the Dooars in North Bengal
which has over 350 Tea Gardens and Hill Tourism in Darjeeling.
Growth in West Bengal Tourism is on the positive side
despite the recent recession, according to Mukherjee.
Both inflow of tourists into the state and outflow is
higher than the national average and West Bengal figures
in the top five states of the country in tourism. From
1,14,064 foreign tourists in 1991, West Bengal saw an
inflow of 6,38, 256 foreign tourists by June alone in
2008. The total tourist inflow into the state in the first
six months of 2008 touched 12076102 from a mere 3225502
in the whole of 1991. Total tourist inflow into Kolkata
alone stood at 48,59,961 in 2007. Considering that the
state has rivers, hills, tea gardens and a delta - only
thing missing being a desert - it can be safely assumed
that the state will go a long way as a tourist hub with
support from the private sector.
-Jan
13, 2009
Go
To Top
Leading
Indian News Papers
