Ranking fifth among the states in terms of foreign touristsrsquo;destination Bengal is climbing up in the tourism sector.

The state has turned out to be a preferred destination among foreign tourists than domestic tourists. Recording a higher percentage of foreign tourists Bengal has drawn 6.4 per cent of foreign tourists compared to 4.9 per cent of domestic tourists according to a report published by the Ministry of Tourism.

Of the 2.06 crore foreign tourists that the country has recorded in a year 14.8 lakh came to Bengal.Among the top five statesTamil Nadu has drawn the maximum number of 20.1 per cent foreign tourists.

It is followed by Maharashtra 18.9 percent Uttar Pradesh 13.3 percent and Delhi 10.2 percent. Among the domestic tourists however the state is not a much preferred destination.

It has ranked eighth among the top 10 states with 7.01 scrore Indian tourists visiting Bengal out of the total 119.7 crore domestic tourists visiting the 10 states. Tamil Naduagain has attracted the highest number of domestic tourists.

Other states that have recorded more domestic tourists than Bengal are namely Uttar Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Maharashtra Telangana and Madhya Pradesh. Stressing on the various initiatives that are being taken for promoting Bengal as a prospective destination for tourism in the domestic market state tourism minister Goutam Deb said that roadshows are being conducted regularly in other states.

It is a sustained effort and it will take some more time to get the outcome said Mr Deb adding that the law and order situation in the state is an added advantage for tourism. Along with promoting Bengal tourism through the website and social networking sites a series of advertisements featuring brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan will be released during the Bengal Global Business Summit in January 2017 he said.

The tourism department has also prepared pamphlets on 20 prominent tourist spots along with detailed information on accommodation booking and other essentials. The list of places to visit include the Himalayan delights of Darjeeling the verdant Dooars the historic midland of Murshidabad and Malda colonial structures of Kolkata mangrove forests of Sundarbans tribal hinterland of lsquo;Jangalmahalrsquo;.