Overview
- The Union Tourism Ministry’s India Tourism Data Compendium 2025 places West Bengal second nationwide for international arrivals.
- Maharashtra led with 3.71 million foreign visitors in 2024, followed by West Bengal with 3.12 million.
- Foreign tourist visits to India reached 20.94 million in 2024, an 8.84% increase from 2023.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hailed the ranking, citing post‑pandemic travel and initiatives in festival, religious and MICE tourism, and invited travelers to visit the state.
- Cited contributors include improved infrastructure and accommodations in Jhargram, popular homestays in Darjeeling, Kolkata heritage walks, ASI‑maintained terracotta temple circuits, and a new destination at Gajoldoba.