Archive · 24 Aug 2026
West Bengal Plans Major Push to Become Wedding Destination
West Bengal wants more people to hold weddings and business events there.
Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh said the government will work with private companies to make this possible.
About 450 wedding planners have shown interest in promoting the state.
Hotels and tour operators may help create better services for visitors.
The plan is also expected to create jobs and bring more money to the state.
Officials want tourists to enjoy hotels, local food and special experiences, not only food festivals.
Small tourism businesses may receive training and guidance.
The government also plans special tourism circuits and digital visitor guides.
It wants to promote Durga Puja around the world as part of this tourism effort.
Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh said West Bengal wants to become a major wedding destination.
About 450 wedding planners have reportedly expressed interest in promoting the state for large events.
The government plans to work with hotels, tour operators and tourism businesses to improve infrastructure and services.
Officials want tourism offerings to expand beyond food festivals through hotels, local cuisine and visitor experiences.
Planned initiatives include skills training, tourism circuits, digital guides and global promotion of Durga Puja.
- Who
- West Bengal Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh, the state government, private tourism businesses and wedding planners.
- What
- The government plans to develop West Bengal as a wedding and MICE destination and expand tourism infrastructure and services.
- When
- The announcement was made at a meeting with district officials; the government’s broader tourism priorities were outlined earlier in July.
- Where
- At Udayachal Tourist Lodge in Salt Lake, West Bengal.
- Why
- To attract weddings, business events and visitors, while increasing employment, tourism revenue and commercial viability.
- Tourism minister
- Shankar Ghosh
- Interested wedding planners
- About 450
- Target destinations
- Wedding and MICE destinations
- Private-sector partners
- Hotels, tour operators and other tourism stakeholders
- Planned support
- Skill-development and orientation programmes for tourism-related micro, small and medium enterprises
- Branding campaign
- “Durga Puja – A Global Festival, An Eternal Passion of Bengal”
- Additional initiatives
- Tourism circuits, festival-based experiences, digital visitor guides and global promotional campaigns