West Bengal mulls no ‘dry day’ policy
As the ‘dry day’ ban has a chain impact on the hospitality industry, tour operators, travel agents and other related verticals, the industry has welcomed the proposal.
The dry day restrictions should not be applicable on the national holidays as the tourists try to plan out their holiday itineraries on and around these days
with ‘ dry days’ or no-liquor days in popular tourist spots of the state. According to Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, Tourism Minister,
In a bid to establish West Bengal in the tourist map of inbound travellers, the Tourism Department of West Bengal is looking at a plan to do away West Bengal, it makes no sense to clamp the prohibitory orders on alcohol in tourist spots of the state such as Darjeeling, Dooars, Digha and Sunderbans. Chowdhury has already mooted the proposal to Amit Mitra, Finance Minister, West Bengal, who also heads the state’s Excise Department. “The Finance Minister has welcomed the idea and we would be soon submitting a detailed proposal to the department,” Chowdhury said.
Once the proposal is cleared, liquor will be available in West Bengal’s popular tourist spots round the year. “The dry day restrictions should not be applicable on the national holidays as the tourists try to plan out their holiday itineraries in and around these days well in advance,” he added. As the ‘dry day’ ban has a chain impact on the hospitality industry, tour operators, travel agents and other related verticals, the industry has welcomed the proposal.
Looking forward to its participation in ITB Berlin in March 2014, he informed, “The Government of West Bengal is promoting the state as an ideal tourist destination with specialised tourism products. The USP of participation at this international travel forum is to market the tourism opportunity in WB to tour operators across the world.”