kolkata is not being projected for tourism

haringp

city of joy has lot of great places to see both for adults and children.
I am shocked this is not being marketed for tourism.
this is best city in india as far as sightseeings are concerned.

capt_mahajan

I will put it in this way: even if I, a domestic tourist, wanted to (shudder) holiday in a big city, Kolkata would be lower down on my list, for many well known reasons.

Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai- even Chennai - would be higher up.

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Haylo

I am sure that whatever city I visit, wherever it is in the world, I would find worthwhile things to do and see and I'm sure Kolkata is no exception.

However, I am not a great city lover to start with, and while there are things in Delhi such as the Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb that might lead me to visit there if I wasn't already travelling through, I could not name you one thing which I remember seeing in a guide book which would inspire me to go out of my way especially to visit Kolkata. Most tourists are more interested in India's own history rather than "England's history in India".

The relative lack of tourist interest may be because what history it does have is not being marketed well for tourists, but it may also be that it's just not an International flight hub for westerners, and it takes quite an investment in time or money to get there - so it would need to have a LOT to offer.

Also... Sorry to all the people who love it as their own city, but it just doesn't strike me as having a reputation for being an appealing place to visit.

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machadinha

Oh, its people and its ambience are quite exceptional really

Moreover, renowned for its love of great food, great and avant-garde arts... (And then some interesting colonial architecture, whether decaying or otherwise, indeed...) Reason enough to go I'd say (some great undervisited sights in the -- much -- wider area, too...) But, not for everyone, I'm quite sure. It's a madhouse of a teeming metropolis, too. As noted, far from without its charm though, in my view, and that of many others. (I mean aren't all of India's metros teeming anyway. And Kolkata does really have its very own charm among them, in my opinion. I can well see what the Capt. means though; I think )

Other than that, I'm personally quite happy with some places being not overrun by tourism. The backpacker enclave of Sudder Street can be as tacky as it comes, though -- it's hardly like no one visits (and then there's the entire Mother Theresa's volunteer scene that attracts a lot of people, and... Hub to business travelers on the other hand no doubt; etc...) Popular place to fly in from elsewhere in SE Asia, too.

I'm also not at all sure it isn't being "projected" for tourism, if I get the phrase right: I'm sure to many it's firmly on the trail. Kind of depends where and why one is going, indeed, doesn't it. But I doubt if many visiting that much wider region miss it, really; if anything, it would serve as a natural hub, and then it would just seem to attract many. The West Bengal tourism department is also pretty active, as far as I know.

What would seem a pity rather is aside from Kolkata and Darjeeling, and possibly already much less-visited Sundarbans, most people seem to give the rest of the state a miss. But -- leaves others that much more to discover, right

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Amalfi

It will be helpful if you can enumerate Kolkata's tourist attractions for benefit of others and to substantiate your statement.

namaste_cat

I'm not. It's always been a sleeper, if you will not revealing its charms too readily. Incidentally, are you shocked at the govt, or..?
Highly debatable statement. I say this as someone who has lived there and visited a lot (parents are still there, planning to move soon). I have a love-hate relationship with it myself.

Love the people, the food, the language, Bengali culture & sensibility, and the ambiance. But the rest, not so much

sarkar

Actually Kolkata becomes an out-of-way destination for most tourist. Most of them choose Mumbai or Delhi as fly-in/fly-out airport and Kolkata is far away. Kolkata City lacks quality transport system except costly taxis. In fact Bus transport is much better outside the city. For visiting Darjeeling/Sikkim Bagdogra airport is more preferred than Dumdum Airport.

For tourist spots there are some British era Buildings and parks. City has some big malls, multiplexes, great night life, theaters and is at par with other metros.

Digha beach is a nice beach but not projected well as a tourist place.

I think the best time to visit Kolkata is around 19sept-4 oct(2009) . Kolkata will be on high for Durga Puja. Atmosphere will be electric and festive everywhere.

I think west bengal govt should start Durga Puja tourism.

Sensi

I hope it doesn't change. The sally anne was recently torn down. RIP. There's some great GH's there.

Resolving the pollution should be the smarts thing to do for tourism and everyone else. Can see my blog on Calcutta has some pics&vids

Sama

interesting, capt. because we're going to be there for 9 days and are thinking we're going to love it....

as for big cities, being a born and raised Chicagoan I never had any desire to see New York City, but went last month absolutely loved it.

ditto.

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theyyamdancer

The charm of Kolkata is precisely that it is not being mass marketed as a tourist destination. Of course it is rundown and has massive problems. But the warmth and charm of its inhabitants more than make up for the delapidation of its buildings. Its history is not in ready-made attractions but in its rich culture and intellectual life, its teeming bookstalls, its enthusiasm for life. I like it more than any other city.

Yes, I agree, Durga Puja tourism would be an excellent idea to attract more visitors.

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Sensi

I think a nice time to visit in December-February. It's cooler and the fog is atmospheric. By April it will be uncomfortable. 9 days is a bit much, i notice a rather dull tired feeling after a week there...wish it wasn't so. If you had the pollution levels of Calcutta in Chicago they'd call a national alert and close the city..it's beyond hazardous!

Hal

If I return to India soon, Kolkata's on my list for the next city to visit. But I did see Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad first.

Haylo

That is one of the factors that makes me want to return to Delhi again and again, and Delhi has the reputation of being one of the less friendly cities! I can't say that I'm exactly surprised to hear the warmth and charm of its inhabitants is true of Kolkata too, but it's nice to know.

I also do like the idea of there being cities which are still not heavily promoted for tourism. For the city lovers at least, that can be a good thing.

genegenie68

I traveled to India for the first time this past December/January and made Kolkata my first stop. Spent three days there, three days in the Sunderbans and then headed down to Orissa from there. I fell in love with Kolkata and fantasize about going back there. If, or really I should say when, I go back to India I will definitely visit Kolkata again and would like to see more of West Bengal. The fact that it wasn't overrun with tourists was certainly part of its charm.

travel joy

Kolkata does not have the social and structural glamour of New Delhi and Mumbai as they have the advantages of being the country and commercial capitals repectively.Nor does it have the splendour of historical structures; like mughal architectures that the old city of Delhi can be proud of. It is congested, polluted,dirty and unplanned in some ways and some others.So in many ways it does not attract the domestic or international tourists like the others do.
But it has a charm and a flavour of its own which those with the right taste will evidently discover.To discover Kolkata one needs to use a few more senses than those need for other metros.Those who have them or bother to use them can try to feel the difference.It is not exactly a city which will be liked by every sight seeing traveller and nor does it demand that.