'Can Anyone Explain': Internet, BJP Has Many Theories On Bengal's 2nd Rank In Foreign Tourist Arrivals

Is it “mishti doi, Durga Puja and Tagore” that put West Bengal on the second spot in attracting foreign tourists? When industrialist Harsh Goenka expressed his confusion on the topic, the internet came

up with a number of theories.

Goenka, the chairman of RPG Enterprises, wrote a post expressing surprise that West Bengal had ranked ahead of tourist hotspots like Gujarat and Rajasthan in becoming a “magnet” for foreign tourists.

“So Bengal is now India’s No. 2 magnet for foreign tourists Ahead of Gujarat and even Rajasthan! Can’t understand how and why?” Goenka asked in a post on X. “Clearly the world has fallen for mishti doi, Durga Puja and Tagore more than we imagine. Can anyone explain?”

So Bengal is now India’s No. 2 magnet for foreign tourists Ahead of Gujarat and even Rajasthan! Can’t understand how and why?
Clearly the world has fallen for mishti doi, Durga Puja and Tagore more than we imagine. Can anyone explain?

Source: India Tourism Data Compendium 2025 pic.twitter.com/rW8J39NkOj

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) November 26, 2025

He cited the newly released ‘India Tourism Data Compendium 2025’ to illustrate that Bengal was now ranked second in foreign tourists arrivals. This is, however, an improvement from its position as per the 2024 data that ranked the state third in the same category, behind Maharashtra and Gujarat and still ahead of Rajasthan.

While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee proudly shared the achievement on X, the BJP took a swipe at the ruling Trinamool Congress by positing its own theory.

“So Bangladeshis who are escaping due to SIR (special intensive revision), are tourists?” said the state BJP unit on X, a theory that was echoed by many in response to Goenka’s post.

So Bangladeshis who are escaping due to SIR, are tourists? https://t.co/ijgNvefzcs

— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) November 26, 2025

“They must be from Bangladesh for medical reasons. If large numbers are arriving in Kol, then why is Victoria Memorial not featuring in popular ticketed monument data? Let’s not blow up his tweet – afraid it becomes another item of chest thumping during election campaign. Ouch!” said an internet user in the comments section.

Another user said: “To deep dive you should simply apply filter and see how many tourists are coming and from which country. You will get a crystal clear picture of the kind of TOURISM that is happening in Bengal.”

Many, however, said this could also be due to Bangladeshis coming to the state as part of medical tourism.

“Sir, I believe lot of people from Bangladesh also visit India in general and West Bengal in particular for medical facilities. It would be interesting to see the ranking of various states if we remove this set of tourist population,” said one user, while another posted: “Kolkata is a popular destination for medical tourism from Bangladeshi nationals.”

But there were also those who pointed out that West Bengal had advantages in terms of religious authenticity, as well as geographical location combining mountains, coast and substantial forest cover. They said Durga Puja had, in fact, earned a UNESCO tag while the state was home to the Royal Bengal tiger and the mangroves of Sundarbans – the world’s largest delta.

“This is actually quite normal. In recent years, West Bengal has been vigorously promoting cultural and festival tourism, especially the Durga festival, which has gained international recognition and naturally attracts more foreign tourists,” said a user, while another added: “Bengal Has Many Untouched Majestic Places Which other States Doesn’t Have From Himalayas to Oceans to Sunderbans to Scenic Wildlife and Scenic Forests .. Almost Everything at Much Affordable Price.”

Another user set out to compare the state’s bounty with those of Gujarat and Rajasthan. “Having spent a good part of your life in WB, you should not have asked this sarcastically or otherwise. Now, let’s compare few, Sea Beach in WB – 5 Raj -0, Guj – 6, Hill Stn WB-02, Raj-0, Guj-0, Wild life- 5, Raj -1, Guj-1, Religious Tourism WB-yes, Raj – Yes, Guj – yes,” the user said.

According to the 2025 report released in September, the country received 2,948.19 million domestic tourists in 2024, a rise of 17.51 per cent over 2,508.82 million visits in the previous year. Foreign tourist visits touched 20.94 million in 2024, marking an 8.84 percent increase from 19.24 million in 2023.

Uttar Pradesh (646.81 million) and Tamil Nadu (306.84 million) topped the list of states in terms of domestic tourist footfall, while Maharashtra (3.71 million) and West Bengal (3.12 million) recorded the highest number of foreign tourist arrivals among all states and Union territories.

WHAT DID MAMATA BANERJEE SAY?

Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, hailed West Bengal’s number 2 rank in foreign tourist arrivals after Maharashtra.

Banerjee said the state has emerged as one of India’s most preferred international destinations. In a post on X, she said the ‘India Tourism Data Compendium 2025’ of the ministry of tourism has placed the state second nationwide in terms of international tourist footfall.

“Proud to share that West Bengal has emerged as one of the most favoured international tourist destinations in the country, and has achieved another great milestone!!” she wrote on X.

Proud to share that West Bengal has emerged as one of the most favoured international tourist destinations in the country, and has achieved another great milestone!!

In the recently released India Tourism Data Compendium 2025 by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India , West…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 26, 2025

She credited the state’s performance to a surge in post-pandemic travel and the government’s efforts to develop new tourism segments, including festival tourism, religious tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions).

Welcoming travellers from across India and abroad, the chief minister described West Bengal as “the sweetest part of India” and urged visitors to experience its culture, heritage and natural beauty. The state’s tourism has been promoted by campaigns featuring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, cricketing legend Sourav Ganguly, and Bengali actor and TMC MP Dev.

(With agency inputs)