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West Bengal stands at an important inflection point for inbound tourism: endowed with a singular combination of urban cultural capital (Kolkata), living heritage (Durga Puja, colonial architecture, literary and artistic traditions), biodiverse natural assets (the Sundarbans mangrove complex, Dooars, and Darjeeling’s tea-hill ecology), and emergent experiential products (homestays, culinary trails, heritage rail), the State has the latent capacity to substantially increase Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) — but doing so will require a tightly integrated, data-driven strategy that converts existing visitation into longer stays, spreads benefits beyond Kolkata, and builds resilience into destination management. Recent government data underscore both the opportunity and the task: official state-wise numbers and central compendia show that West Bengal recorded a marked rise in foreign visits in the immediate post-pandemic years and, according to state announcements and central releases, figures for 2023–24 placed West Bengal among the leading states in FTA counts (with state-level reported arrivals running into the hundreds of thousands and, as publicly reported by state officials, cumulative inbound visitor numbers reaching into the millions on an annual basis), which confirms that demand exists but is spatially concentrated and temporally peaky, for example around cultural festivals and the principal gateway’s seasonally high months. To translate those headline gains into sustainable, high-value inbound tourism, policymakers should view the challenge along three interlocking dimensions: demand shaping (market segmentation and promotion), supply readiness (connectivity, product quality, and regulatory facilitation), and governance & measurement (data systems, carrying-capacity controls and public–private partnerships). On demand, the empirical evidence from national FTA datasets demonstrates that source markets for India are dominated by a mix of long-haul high-yield countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, several European states, Australia) alongside strong regional feeder markets (Bangladesh, Nepal, Southeast Asia) — a reality that necessitates a two-track marketing effort: premium, experience-led campaigns targeted at long-haul leisure and cultural tourists (positioning West Bengal as a ‘city plus’ hub from which curated rural, wildlife and tea-hill extensions are a short, high-quality add-on) and proximity campaigns aimed at day-and-short-stay tourists from neighboring countries, leveraging cross-border connectivity and diaspora networks. Digital partnerships with global OTAs, targeted social media storytelling focused on signature experiences (Durga Puja immersion, Sundarbans guided eco-safaris with certified eco-guides, tea-estate homestays and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway journeys), and attractive combined fares/itineraries with carrier partners that make multi-stop itineraries (Kolkata → Bagdogra → Darjeeling/Siliguri → Dooars → Sundarbans) seamless will be more effective than generic brand advertising; evidence from travel trade and the Ministry’s periodic data releases shows that better visibility in source markets correlates strongly with increases in arrivals and longer average lengths of stay. Supply readiness requires decisive investment: improving the throughput and international connectivity of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and strengthening onward daily air links to Bagdogra, upgrading selected state highways and last-mile road links, and expanding premium surface and rail options will reduce the friction that currently makes many foreign visitors treat Kolkata as a single-night gateway rather than a base for multi-day circuits; airport and aviation statistics indicate significant growth in passenger numbers in recent years, confirming potential capacity that can be translated into inbound growth if last-mile links and seamless transfers are enhanced. Equally, the State must accelerate the professionalization of the hospitality product in peripheral districts — a concentrated push to scale registered homestays with mandatory quality training, multilingual host guides and digital booking integration; incentives (matching grants, low-interest loans and tax concessions) for small and medium hotels to meet internationally recognized hygiene and sustainability standards; and the creation of curated interpretative centres and accredited guide services for sensitive destinations such as the Sundarbans — will raise the average spend per tourist and lengthen stays. From an environmental and social governance perspective, the State cannot pursue arrival growth at the cost of ecosystem integrity: the Sundarbans, for example, is an ecologically fragile UNESCO-adjacent landscape where unmanaged visitor volume could cause irreversible harm; therefore, instituting carrying-capacity frameworks, permit-based access with dynamic quotas, mandatory certified eco-guides, and revenuesharing mechanisms for local communities must be a core feature of any expansion plan, not an afterthought. Financing these improvements is feasible through blended approaches: central schemes (Swadesh Darshan, Special Assistance for Capital Investment), targeted state bond instruments for tourism infrastructure, and public–private partnerships for visitor centres, eco-lodges and premium transfer services will mobilize capital without overburdening public coffers; at the same time, modest subsidy windows for homestay entrepreneurs and local tour operators can catalyse supply side upgrades quickly and inclusively. Governance and measurement are the third critical axis: while the Ministry of Tourism produces annual and monthly FTA statistics, the State needs a near-real-time inbound tourism dashboard combining port-of-entry data, accommodation occupancy and district-level stay metrics to identify bottlenecks, measure marketing ROI, and track diffusion of benefits into non-urban districts; this data capability will also support demand management — for example, dynamic price signals or limited-slot festivals to reduce overcrowding during Durga Puja-peak weeks and to spread visitor flows across shoulder months. Practical, high-impact operational initiatives that follow from this strategy include: (1) developing a small set of “signature circuits” (Kolkata cultural + Shantiniketan arts + Santiniketan homestay; Kolkata + Darjeeling heritage railway + tea-estate stay; Kolkata + Sundarbans eco-safari) with pre-approved chains of quality suppliers and unified booking portals so foreign tour operators can sell turn-key experiences; (2) instituting a diaspora ambassador programme to leverage the large Bengali and Indian expatriate communities in the UK, US and Middle East for festivals and heritage events; (3) convening annual fam-trips for top-tier travel writers and global OTA curators tied to off-season months to flatten seasonality; (4) streamlining permissions for small, low-impact eco-lodges and experience operators through time-bound clearances and ‘green’ fast-lanes; and (5) launching a multilingual, SEO-optimized digital hub that bundles visa guidance, certified operator listings, climate-aware packing tips and real-time alerts for conservation-sensitive areas. In terms of metrics for success, West Bengal should move beyond counting arrivals to measuring average length of stay, per-capita foreign tourist expenditure, percentage of FTAs who take multi-destination circuits within the State, occupancy and revenue gains in tier-II and tier-III districts, and environmental impact indicators (visitor pressure per sensitive hectare in the Sundarbans, waste management compliance at key sites). Early wins are attainable: modest increases in onward connectivity and the professionalization of 500–1,000 homestays, combined with a focused international marketing campaign in three highest-yield source markets, could raise average length of stay by a day and push per-capita spending figures materially higher within 18–24 months. Politically and socially, the distributional benefits of such a strategy are attractive: homestays and guided experience packages channel tourism earnings directly into rural households and small enterprises rather than concentrating gains in a few urban hotels, aligning economic inclusion with conservation incentives when a share of fees supports local stewardship. Risks must be managed openly: uncontrolled growth could strain fragile ecosystems and urban infrastructure during festival surges, while overreliance on a small number of source markets would increase vulnerability to global demand shocks; both dangers reinforce the need for diversified source-market targeting and capacity controls. Finally, the timing for an ambitious push is propitious: national recovery in FTAs, recent increases in passenger volumes at Kolkata’s airport, and rising international interest in diversified India itineraries all create a policy window to act — but seizing it will require coordinated state leadership, quick operational reforms to reduce traveler frictions, and a data-driven, sustainability-first approach that turns West Bengal’s rich cultural and natural endowments into reliably produced, high-quality, and environmentally respectful experiences for foreign visitors.

The ATF is an essential venue for ASEAN member nations to promote solidarity and cooperation while showcasing their distinctive travel experiences. The forum facilitates a rich exchange of ideas, strategies, and solutions to increase tourism in the area by giving stakeholders in the tourism industry networking opportunities.  The forum this year ended with a formal handover of hosting responsibilities that perfectly captured the spirit of ASEAN hospitality and collaboration. The incident took place on January 20 at the Johor International Convention Center during the closing of ATF 2025. Here, Malaysia's Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, presented the ceremonial gavel to Philippine Secretary of Tourism Christina Garcia Frasco. This represents cooperation and dedication to the growth of local tourism.With an ambitious plan that highlights its breathtaking natural landscapes and rich cultural legacy, the Philippines is preparing to host ATF 2026. Cebu, known for its stunning beaches, rich history, and exciting celebrations, will host the ASEAN Tourism Ministers' Meeting. Additionally, preparations will take place in Boracay, which is well-known for its white sand beaches and exciting nightlife, and Manila, the busy capital city. The Philippines is eager to receive representatives from other ASEAN countries, Secretary Frasco said in her remarks. "With its dedication to hospitality and strong community values, the Philippines is ready to unveil its untouched beaches to all of you," she embraced at the "Love the Philippines Night" celebration. Together, we shall pen a new chapter for ASEAN that emphasizes prosperity, sustainability, and unity. With sustainability as the main focus of the forthcoming event, this vow highlights the Philippines' commitment to fostering a friendly environment.

Sara Tendulkar Sara Tendulkar’s emergence as the brand ambassador of Australian Tourism represents a carefully calibrated convergence of personal charisma, cultural symbolism, economic strategy, and destination branding, embodying not only the aspirations of millions of Indian travelers but also the ambitions of a nation seeking to anchor its future prosperity in the soft power of tourism, and when one unpacks the multiple dimensions of this association, the significance becomes multifaceted and worthy of extended elaboration. For Sara, born into the legendary Tendulkar family yet known for cultivating her own independent identity through education, fashion sensibility, philanthropy, and public poise, stands as a bridge between tradition and modernity, India and the world, heritage and innovation, thereby enabling Australian Tourism to speak to Indian consumers with a voice that is simultaneously aspirational and relatable, credible and fresh, celebrity-driven yet humanized. The broader context is that India, with its vast demographic dividend, its burgeoning middle class, and its insatiable appetite for outbound exploration, has within the past decade ascended to the rank of one of Australia’s fastest-growing inbound markets, a transformation visible in statistics showing annual arrivals from India climbing into the range of nearly half a million and total visitor expenditure exceeding billions of Australian dollars, making India not only a volume driver but also a high-yield contributor, and thus requiring a nuanced marketing strategy that goes beyond generic sun-and-surf imagery to address Indian travelers’ specific expectations, such as vegetarian and Jain food options, family-friendly itineraries, safety assurances, value-for-money packages, and above all, authentic experiences that can be easily shared across social media ecosystems where peer-to-peer validation increasingly shapes travel decisions. In this respect, Sara Tendulkar is uniquely positioned to function as an influencer who transcends mere advertising, because her cultivated persona emphasizes warmth, education, cosmopolitan taste, and a mindful approach to lifestyle, traits that align seamlessly with the pillars of Australian Tourism which revolve around pristine nature, iconic wildlife, vibrant cities, cultural depth, and a characteristically warm welcome expressed through the campaign’s enduring invitation “Come and Say G’day,” a phrase which itself has evolved from a simple colloquial greeting into a global brand promise, and when coupled with the animated mascot Ruby the Roo, becomes a recognizable shorthand for the playful yet sincere spirit of Australia. Now reinterpreted through Sara’s Indian lens to signal not only a geographic destination but a cultural embrace, a promise of safety, wonder, joy, and memory-making for Indian families, couples, and groups of friends; the economics of this appointment cannot be overlooked, because Tourism Australia has invested heavily in the second chapter of its global campaign, with budgets reported in the hundreds of millions of dollars, allocated toward media placements across cinema, digital platforms, social networks, and on-the-ground activations, and in the Indian context, such expenditure is justified by the fact that India’s outbound travel is projected to grow exponentially with increasing disposable income, improved air connectivity, and a societal shift toward experiential consumption where younger generations prioritize holidays and experiences as integral to self-identity, and thus an ambassador like Sara provides the authenticity that algorithmic ads alone cannot generate. Furthermore, the symbolic value of her surname amplifies trust without over-relying on cricket tropes, for while her father Sachin Tendulkar is revered as a cricketing deity, Sara herself projects a softer, more exploratory image, making her an ideal figure to speak to audiences who value heritage but also crave novelty, and this duality allows Australian Tourism to leverage cricket’s cultural glue while simultaneously expanding beyond it, embedding Australia not only in the narrative of sports rivalry but also in that of leisure, romance, family bonding, and cultural exchange. When one considers the segmentation of Indian travelers, the versatility of Sara’s persona becomes even more apparent, for she can speak credibly to honeymooners imagining secluded Whitsunday beaches and Great Barrier Reef experiences, to families looking for safe, clean, child-friendly adventures in Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast, to student groups drawn to urban nightlife and iconic drives along the Great Ocean Road, and even to senior travelers who prioritize comfort, accessibility, and guided tours that balance rest with exploration, and across these demographics the campaign’s visuals—Sara smiling against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour, conversing with guides in Uluru, tasting vegetarian delicacies in Melbourne, or capturing selfies alongside kangaroos and quokkas—signal inclusivity, safety, and joy, thus normalizing Australia as a “first international trip” choice, which is crucial given the competition from other long-haul destinations like the UK, Canada, and the United States, as well as closer Asian rivals like Thailand, Singapore, and the Maldives. Moreover, by choosing a woman ambassador of Sara’s profile, Tourism Australia also subtly addresses gender dynamics in Indian outbound travel, projecting an image of independent, safe, and empowered female travel, which resonates with young women audiences and reassures families considering sending daughters for study, tourism, or long-stay experiences, thereby reinforcing Australia’s positioning as a trusted and progressive destination. Beyond the surface of marketing, one must also appreciate the cultural diplomacy embedded in this partnership, for tourism is never merely about leisure but also about nation branding, and Sara’s ambassadorship becomes an instrument of soft power diplomacy between India and Australia, complementing government-to-government ties that have strengthened through trade agreements, educational exchanges, and defense cooperation, while providing a people-to-people bridge that is often more enduring than treaties, because the impressions formed by ordinary travelers ripple across communities, social networks, and generations. The storytelling itself is deliberately multi-layered, with campaign assets tailored to different media ecologies: on YouTube and cinema screens, long-form cinematic cuts evoke awe through sweeping drone shots and orchestral music; on Instagram and TikTok equivalents, shorter edits highlight bite-sized experiences—“three things to do in Sydney in 24 hours” or “best vegetarian cafés in Melbourne”—with Sara serving as the authentic narrator; on WhatsApp and OTA platforms, interactive itineraries are integrated into chat flows, allowing travelers to move directly from inspiration to booking; and across print and outdoor media. Ruby the Roo’s playful presence maintains continuity and family-friendly appeal; such orchestration illustrates how destination marketing has evolved into a full-funnel operation where celebrity presence is one layer within a mesh of digital nudges, social proof, and transaction enablers; crucially, Sara’s ambassadorial role also models responsible tourism, which is no longer optional but essential, as destinations like the Great Barrier Reef and fragile wildlife habitats require stewardship rather than exploitation. By showing behaviors such as maintaining respectful distance from animals, using reef-safe products, acknowledging Indigenous custodianship of land, and promoting travel outside peak months, she helps normalize practices that protect ecosystems while enriching visitor understanding, thereby aligning Australia with global sustainability standards and appealing to socially conscious Indian youth who increasingly expect ethical choices. If one projects forward, the likely outcomes of this campaign, assuming effective execution, include measurable increases in brand consideration, online flight searches, visa applications, average length of stay, and dispersal of Indian tourists beyond Sydney and Melbourne into regional areas like Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia, which depend heavily on inbound tourism for local economic vitality, thereby ensuring that campaign returns are felt not only in metropolitan centers but also across small towns. Indigenous enterprises, and family-owned businesses, all of which contribute to the seven hundred thousand jobs supported by Australian tourism; at a deeper level, Sara’s ambassadorship also reshapes narratives of female Indian identity in global travel campaigns, marking a shift from portraying Indian women as passive participants in family travel to positioning them as active narrators of discovery, joy, and agency, an image that resonates with India’s changing gender roles and adds symbolic heft to the campaign. It is also worth noting that this partnership arrives at a time when India is asserting itself globally not only as a consumer market but also as a cultural exporter through cinema, digital content, and sports, and thus Sara’s presence bridges two export narratives—Australia’s export of landscapes and experiences, and India’s export of personalities and culture—resulting in a reciprocal cultural transaction where both nations reinforce each other’s brand equity; in terms of risks, the campaign must carefully manage overexposure, ensuring Sara’s appearances remain episodic and refreshing rather than ubiquitous. While also avoiding any perception of nepotism by foregrounding the destination rather than her family name, and it must remain agile in addressing macro risks such as visa delays, airline capacity constraints, currency fluctuations, or natural events like bushfires, adapting its creative assets and promotional emphasis in real time to maintain traveler confidence; yet even with such caveats, the overarching logic holds firm. Sara Tendulkar, with her blend of relatability, aspiration, and cultural resonance, is an ideal ambassador to translate Australia’s “G’day” into India’s “Namaste,” to reframe a long-haul destination into a close-to-heart experience, and to help millions of Indians imagine not just a holiday abroad but an encounter with landscapes, cultures, and stories that will enrich their lives, generate economic dividends for Australia, and deepen the ties of friendship between two democracies linked by sport, education, migration, and now tourism, so that every time an Indian traveler in Sydney hears the greeting “G’day,” they will recall not only a campaign slogan but a narrative seeded by Sara’s smile, Ruby’s charm, and Australia’s enduring promise that memories are the best souvenirs.

Vacation in the hills is always a pleasant experience. The food, the local customs,the festivals and the crisp, unpolluted air are something most tourists cherish. However, mountains are prefered for other reasons as well! Adventure lovers often like escaping to the hills and mountains for the much sought after trekking sojourn or mountaineering expeditions. To answer the insatiable thirst of travellers for mountain holidays, in this issue Touriosity Travelmag celebrates the various sides of Mountain. Tourism and brings stories not only from India, but from places around the world as well.https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b0fcc0_7f20c0acf1b348959032cd82fc4b540e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_746,h_960,al_c,q_85/49.%20September%202016.jpg September 2016 Articles Click on the Image-link to read this issue

In its November 2014 issue, Touriosity brings to readers a glimpse into the mysterious yet fascinating world of caves. Apart from the various cave destinations you can visit across the world, there is an article on the numerous sought-after cave sites in India, along with two special features on the stunning cave complexes in Maharashtra and the mysterious, winding caverns of Meghalaya. Also, don't forget to go through the Artist's Impression of the cataracts in Iguazú, on the border of Argentina and Brazil, and a backpacker's account of a solo trip of Hamburg, the second-largest city of Germany.https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b0fcc0_ea84e7c1ad2b43238084f74cc9468620~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_496,h_638,al_c,q_80/27.%20November%202014.jpg November 2014 Articles Click on the Image-link to read this issue

Aerial tourism has been popular, especially in some specific destinations around the world as also with photographers, for the last couple of decades. But the years 2020 and 2021 have seen exponential rise in the interest of people in aerial tourism. The reason, however, is easy to guess. In this issue of Touriosity, we have our focus on Aerial Tours. Various types of such tours involving different vehicles and aircrafts have been covered. All possible destinations in the 6 inhabited continents that one might put in the bucket list, have been included. There is also an Artist’s Impression article on Yazd, Iran.https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b0fcc0_23f13c27150e419593c6d2458970c283~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_2625,h_3375,al_c,q_90/00%20cover1.jpg Photo Contributors: Grete Howard, UK; Will Palmer, UK; Ei Kyawt Khaing, Myanmar; Sayan Bhattacharya, Kolkata; Amartya Mukherjee, Bangalore; Anupam Chanda, Mumbai; Sanghamitra, Kolkata; Dr Paritosh Nandi, Kolkata; Rupanjana De, Kolkata Illustrations By: Joaquin Gonzalez Dorao, Spain; COVER PHOTO: Aerial view of the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut near the Valley of Kings, Egypt Photo by: Grete Howard, UK Touriosity Travelmeg is on off the best travel journal for people who love to move or those who love reading travel stories . This travel magazine is aimed moking you a confident independent traveller . We aspire to give you wings by bringing to you inspiring stories of courage , confidence and groom achievements from across the globe from people who arhived those feels and realized their dreams because they believed they could do We wish your wings will help you fly high and bring the world to your grip By being with us you get to know that the wodd is such a beautiful ploce Touriosity Travel is a travel magazine by people who love to leave for people who love to travel bait globetrolled backpackers , family welon tudent navelers , senior pavelers or those that just enjoy sitting at home reading travel lorins from around the world . We celebrule the indi oble urge to drift and room and the desire to get lost in the splendour of the world around We promise to Ling to you the best quality Movel loterature of the lowest affordable price. November 2021 Aerial Touriosity Articles Click on the Image-link to read this issue