West Bengal grants industry status to hospitality sector

The West Bengal government's decision to grant industry status to the hospitality sector has been welcomed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The move is expected to attract investment and boost tourism in the state.

CII hails the decision

In a statement, CII said that the hospitality sector has the potential to draw Rs 5000 crore investment in the next few years and with a job-generating potential of nearly two lakh.

CII through its various forums and interactions had requested the West Bengal government to recognize the hospitality industry as an independent one.

Benefits of industry status

This move emphatically distinguishes the hospitality sectors role as a vital industry contributing to the states economy, the statement said.

K Mohanchandran, chairman, CII Eastern Region tourism subcommittee, and senior vice president East & Northeast, Indian Hotels Company Ltd, said, This decision will benefit the industry by way of more competitive industrial rates for power, water and property tax apart from providing better FAR floor-area-ratio.

It will attract investments, and boost tourism, thereby stimulating economic activities and fostering the states development.

Industry reaction

Past chairman of CII Eastern Region & managing director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited, Vijay Dewan, termed the state government’s decision as excellent and progressive”.

This will significantly help in the growth of the hospitality industry and will bring in more investments in the state. We are committed to the development of our 250-luxury-room hotel in Kolkata for which work will commence in the next financial year, he said.

The decision to grant industry status to the hospitality sector is a welcome move by the West Bengal government. The move is expected to attract investment, boost tourism, and create jobs in the state.