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West Bengal ranks as nation’s 2nd most popular tourist spot; US, UK, Russia top contributors
Govt’s move to diversify or mishti doi and Pujo
The sources say that arrivals from Bangladesh slipped to the second spot after Americans in 2024. While 21.2 lakh Bangladeshis visited India in 2023, the number dipped to 17.5 lakh in 2024.
West Bengal has emerged as the second most popular destination for international tourists visiting India, trailing only Maharashtra, according to the Union Tourism Ministry’s India Tourism Data Compendium 2025.
The state welcomed 31 lakh international visitors in 2024, marking a 14.8% increase from 27 lakh in 2023. According to official sources, a total of 27,11,708 foreign tourists had already visited the state in the first six months of the year, from January to June.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attributed this growth to efforts to diversify the state’s tourism offerings, including festival tourism, religious tourism, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism among others.
“Proud to share that West Bengal has emerged as one of the most favoured international tourist destinations in the country, and has achieved another great milestone!!” Banerjee posted on X.
“I welcome all tourists both domestic and foreign to visit West Bengal, the sweetest part of India, and experience its beauty, culture and heritage. I thank all tourism stakeholders who have worked relentlessly towards achieving this proud moment for West Bengal,” Banerjee further posted.
The rise in tourist arrivals is driven by visitors from Europe and the US, with top countries including the US (80,647), Russia (79,758), UK (77,792), and Italy (64,225). Notably, there are no direct flights connecting Bengal to these regions.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien hailed the West Bengal government’s efforts, while industrialist Harsh Goenka expressed surprise at the state’s newfound popularity, citing the appeal of ‘Mishti Doi’, Durga Puja, and Rabindranath Tagore.
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“So Bengal is now India’s No. 2 magnet for foreign tourists Ahead of Gujarat and even Rajasthan! Can’t understand how and why? Clearly the world has fallen for mishti doi, Durga Puja and Tagore more than we imagine,” Goenka said.
In order to sustain the momentum, the state government has been focusing on developing new circuits.
It plans to leverage UNESCO’s recognition of Durga Puja to promote heritage tourism, focusing on sites like Gangasagar, Tarapith, and Dakshineswar. New circuits being developed include coastal areas like Tajpur and the Sundarbans, as well as hill stations like Darjeeling and Mirik. The government is also emphasizing high-potential areas like homestay tourism and tea tourism, alongside infrastructure improvements in regions like Jhargram.
Additionally, initiatives like the Bengal Mango Fair and Handloom-Handicraft Expo aim to showcase the state’s unique products and culture globally.
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However, there is a noticeable decline in tourist arrivals from Bangladesh, which traditionally constituted the largest share of international tourists to India.
The sources say that arrivals from Bangladesh slipped to the second spot after Americans in 2024. While 21.2 lakh Bangladeshis visited India in 2023, the number dipped to 17.5 lakh in 2024.
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