Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hails the Centre’s latest tourism statistics as a major milestone for the state.
Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, November 28, 2025, Kolkata : West Bengal has emerged as the second most popular destination among foreign tourists in India, according to the newly released Tourism Data Compendium 2025. The announcement was highlighted by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday afternoon, who shared the achievement on her official X handle and expressed pride in the state’s rising global appeal.
Posting the update on social media, the Chief Minister wrote that West Bengal has now secured a prominent position as one of India’s favourite international tourist destinations. She added that the recognition marks “a great milestone” for the state’s tourism sector.
Significantly, Banerjee emphasised that this accomplishment is not a self-declared claim by the West Bengal government, but an assessment made by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Referring to the official data, she stated: “The recently published India Tourism Data Compendium 2025 by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, says that West Bengal has attracted the second highest number of foreign tourists in the country!” Her message underlined that the recognition originates from central government findings, not from state-level projections.
West Bengal, with Kolkata—once the capital during British rule—continues to attract global visitors drawn to its cultural heritage, historical depth, and varied landscapes. According to Banerjee, the state government undertook several initiatives to rejuvenate the tourism sector following the Covid-19 pandemic. These initiatives included the development and promotion of new tourism segments such as religious tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism.
The Chief Minister noted that these efforts have significantly contributed to West Bengal’s increased international footfall, reinforcing the state’s position on India’s tourism map. The latest figures, she said, reflect not only the state’s cultural richness but also the strategic planning undertaken to revive and expand the tourism industry in the post-pandemic era.
With this new recognition, West Bengal continues to strengthen its standing as a compelling destination for travellers from around the world, placing it firmly among the leaders in India’s evolving tourism landscape.