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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bengal ranks third among foreign tourists' fave Indian destinations
1 2 Kolkata: Bengal has emerged as one of India's top tourism hotspots for foreign travellers, clocking a record 32 lakh international tourist arrivals in 2023–24 — the third highest in the country after Maharashtra and Gujarat, Bengal's tourism minister Indranil Sen said in the assembly on Thursday. This marks a significant jump from 27.1 lakh in 2022–23 and just 10.4 lakh in 2021–22, underscoring the state's growing global appeal and tourism turnaround post-Covid, he said. Sen said the state accounted for 14.8% of India's foreign tourist arrivals last year. "This is a huge achievement. Bengal is firmly on the international tourism map," Sen said in response to a question by BJP MLA Bishwanath Karak. The data, sourced from 'India Tourism Statistics 2023' released by the Union ministry of tourism, places Bengal alongside national tourism giants. Sen debunked a common perception that a bulk of Bengal's foreign tourist inflow is limited to visitors from neighbouring Bangladesh. "Only 1.8 lakh out of the 32 lakh foreign tourists came from Bangladesh. Over 27 lakh were from Europe, Russia, and Australia," he said. One of the biggest tourism magnets remains Kolkata's Durga Puja, which was inscribed in Unesco's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo In 2023, during the festival period from Mahalaya to Diwali, the city welcomed over 5 lakh foreign visitors — with trade estimates suggesting at least 20,000 were international travellers during the five puja days in Kolkata. Anil Punjabi, national committee member of Travel Agents Federation of India, said, "We are already getting puja bookings from Canada, Spain, Europe and UK. The festive charm, the craftsmanship on display, and Bengal's value-for-money factor make it an irresistible destination during this time." Hill stations, particularly Darjeeling and Kurseong, are also witnessing a massive influx of foreign visitors. "Bengal's hill stations are now more preferred than overcrowded destinations like Shimla and Kullu-Manali. Tea tourism is popular too," said Manav Soni, national committee member of Travel Agents Association of India. Purulia and Bankura — once peripheral to Bengal's tourism economy — are now gaining traction. Launched on April 22, an eco-tourism centre near Ayodhya Hills run by local enthusiasts has already reported 87% occupancy, Sen said. The Purulia Tourism Development Council has been formed to assist local tourism stakeholders and attract more visitors. Bengal has also taken a pioneering step in professionalising its tourism industry. The state now boasts the highest number of certified tourist guides in the country — 1,022 — trained under its Tourist Guide Certification Scheme. Bengal's strategic location as a gateway to the Northeast has also given it a dual advantage. Tourists exploring states like Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya often transit through Bengal. New spiritual landmarks, like the Jagannath temple in Digha, are also becoming major pilgrimage and tourist attractions, travel agents said.
Ya Biladi
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Algerian Minister sparks controversy, accuses Morocco of «stealing» couscous heritage
Algeria's Minister of Communication, Mohamed Meziane, has reignited the long-running debate over the origins of couscous. Speaking before the House of Representatives yesterday, he accused «the western neighbor» of «stealing» the iconic traditional dish from Algeria. According to Meziane, «all ancient historians agree that couscous, along with its utensils, first appeared in Algeria», though he offered no evidence to support the claim. He also refrained from naming the author of what he described as an «important study» from «the beginning of the last century» that allegedly proves Algeria's national ownership of couscous. He simply noted that the study was written by a «French historian». «This is just one example among many other products whose ownership has been unfairly attributed to the western neighbor», he said. Meziane also claimed, in front of the deputies, that Morocco «took advantage of the black decade (1992–2000) to appropriate symbols of Algerian heritage, including music and architecture». For context, couscous was officially recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020, following a joint submission by Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and Tunisia. Mohamed Meziane was appointed Minister of Communication in November 2024, replacing Mohamed Laâgab, who held the post for just 13 months.
Ya Biladi
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Algerian Minister sparks controversy, accuses Morocco of «stealing» couscous heritage
Algeria's Minister of Communication, Mohamed Meziane, has reignited the long-running debate over the origins of couscous. Speaking before the House of Representatives yesterday, he accused «the western neighbor» of «stealing» the iconic traditional dish from Algeria. According to Meziane, «all ancient historians agree that couscous, along with its utensils, first appeared in Algeria», though he offered no evidence to support the claim. He also refrained from naming the author of what he described as an «important study» from «the beginning of the last century» that allegedly proves Algeria's national ownership of couscous. He simply noted that the study was written by a «French historian». «This is just one example among many other products whose ownership has been unfairly attributed to the western neighbor», he said. Meziane also claimed, in front of the deputies, that Morocco «took advantage of the black decade (1992–2000) to appropriate symbols of Algerian heritage, including music and architecture». For context, couscous was officially recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020, following a joint submission by Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and Tunisia. Mohamed Meziane was appointed Minister of Communication in November 2024, replacing Mohamed Laâgab, who held the post for just 13 months.
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
What is Al-Ayyala? Traditional emirati dance circulates online
Listen to article During US President Donald Trump's recent visit to the United Arab Emirates, a traditional Emirati dance performance featuring women in white robes swaying their long hair was staged as part of his official reception at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. The cultural showcase quickly circulated on social media, with many viewers expressing curiosity about the ceremony. The performance is known as 'Al-Ayyalah,' a traditional Gulf Arab art form and symbolic enactment of wartime unity, often performed at weddings, festivals, and national celebrations in the UAE and northern Oman. Al-Ayyalah involves men performing synchronised movements with bamboo canes, while women dance in formation, tossing their hair in rhythm with the beat of traditional drums. The dance has been recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its deep-rooted cultural significance.
Korea Herald
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
KFPI to hold 3 seminars on hansik this year
Seminars to explore 'jang'-making, Korean diaspora and evolution of Korean food and North Chungcheong Province cuisine As "hansik," or Korean food, is winning over palates around the world, the Korea Food Promotion Institute and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs are jointly holding three academic seminars this year to explore the diverse flavors and charms of hansik. The first seminar, taking place May 23 at the Hansik Space Eeum in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, will shed light on how Korean food has spread and changed as Korean people migrated. The seminar will explore how Korean immigrants have adapted their food habits to their new homes, the Korean diaspora's dietary patterns in Uzbekistan and how Korean immigrants' food habits look today. The session will also discuss how Korean restaurants in France and the US have developed throughout the years. More information about registering for the event will be announced later this month through the KFPI's official Instagram account. The second seminar will focus on traditional Korean ways of making fermented soybean-based pastes and sauces, known as "jang," which was listed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December of last year. The session will explore how to protect and pass down the practices of jang-making after the UNESCO recognition. Jang -- a staple of South Korean cuisine -- refers to a family of fermented soybean-based sauces, including soybean paste, soy sauce and red chile paste. Aiming to introduce regional dishes and stories of how these food traditions are being handed down from generation to generation, the third seminar will delve into the regional cuisine of North Chungcheong Province. While the dates for the second and third seminars have yet to be announced, they will take place in September and December, respectively.
