The Union Tourism Minister, Sahay will soon meet the West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, to discuss about the potential of rural tourism and its development in the eastern region. The possibility of development of a tourism park and tourism circuit in the region would also be discussed at the meeting, said a senior official in the Tourism Ministry.

“The meeting is likely to happen during the first or second week of September. We will discuss about the tourism policy of the State, the need for developing tourism destinations, skill development and the need for change in investment policy,” the senior official said, while talking to newspersons on the sidelines of a tourism conference organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce on Saturday at Kolkata.

Rural tourism has a huge potential in the eastern region, he said, and added, “We are going to stress upon the need for the development of rural tourism to the individual Chief Ministers of the States in the region.” The concept of home-stays – which is widely prevalent in Sikkim – should also be adopted by other States in the region. “In West Bengal, there are many areas which are suitable for rural tourism such as Purulia, Midnapore and Bankura because of the typical tribal culture. This can be brought out by having home-stays. The Centre is willing to provide the grant required to improve the condition of houses and for skill development,” he said