Siliguri to host tourism fest

Gautam Deb

Siliguri: The Bengal tourism department is working on plans to host a state-wide tourism fest.

Gautam Deb, state tourism minister, said here on Saturday that the fest will be held across Bengal, especially at all major tourist spots to highlight tourism potential of these places, he informed.

“We have planned to organise ‘Biswa Banga Paryatan Utsav’ across the state to promote all major tourism destinations. I had a preliminary discussion on the project with chief minister Mamata Banerje. On my next visit to Calcutta, I will place it before the chief minister for her consent,” said Deb.

The minister also informed about the upcoming International Folk Festival to be held in Siliguri February 17 to 21, and International Mother Language Day celebrations to be observed on February 21.

At the folk festival, foreign artistes and delegates from USA, Mauritius, Canada and Bangladesh and different states of India will converge in Siliguri to perform, said organisers.

The delegates will also participate in talks and seminars, to be held during the four-day event.

“Folk culture is one of the attractions which can enhance tourism activities in an area. We have already short-listed tourist lodges and forest bungalows where we will provide a platform to local folk artistes to perform in front of the tourists and aware them about the local culture,” said the minister.

Among other plans made by the department Deb said, include beautification of the Fulbari Canal Road (that leads to “Bhorer Alo,” the mega tourism hub at Gazoldoba) and adjacent areas of Uttarkanya- the branch secretariat of the state.