The Bengal Chamber, under its tourism website www.bengalweekend.com and Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal organised a weekend tourism fair named "Weeekend Wonders" at Allen Park, Park Street from 16th November, 2018 to 18th November, 2018 from 11am to 8pm. The fair was inaugurated by Shri Goutam Deb, Honourable Minister-In-Charge, Tourism, Government of West Bengal alongwith Shri Debasish Kumar, Member Mayor in Council, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Mr. Debashis Sen, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal, in-charge-of Department of Information Technology and Electronics, and Chairman - Managing Director, WBHIDCO and Chairman of New Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA} and Naba Diganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA} and Mr. Avijit Das, Chairperson, Tourism Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mr. Indrajit Sen, President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the guests and highlighted upon the tourism opportunities in Bengal and the role of The Chamber in promoting the same. Shri Debasish Kumar, MMIC, KMC congratulated The Chamber for taking up the initiative and conducting the fair to promote weekend destinations in Bengal. Mr. Debashis Sen, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal, in-charge-of Department of Information Technology and Electronics, and Chairman - Managing Director, WBHIDCO and Chairman of New Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA} and Naba Diganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA} spoke of the scope of weekend tourism and about the uniqueness of Eco Park as a tourist destination. Mr. Gautam Deb, Honourable Minister-In-Charge, Tourism, and Government of West Bengal reiterated upon tourism as an important sector for overall economic growth. He emphasized upon increased connectivity and infrastructure to support tourism. He stated that strategic location and geographical landscape of the region is replete with destinations to attract tourism. Mr. Avijit Das, Chairperson, Tourism Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry thanked the dignitaries and announced the formal inauguration of the fair. The Inauguration also consisted of traditional Chhou dance of Purulia.

Purulia was the focus destination of the fair. Purulia, with Ayodhya and Garpanchakot hills and Baranti Lake is one of the ideal weekend getaways from Kolkata. Tourism is integral to the growth of a region as the same aids in creating value and generating employment.

Some of the participants in the Fair were IRCTC, Purulia Tourism, Bawali Rajbari, Mylestone Holidays, Kushal Bharat Group (Pearl Hotel & Kushalpally}, Hermes Voyages, Panways, Countryclub Holidays, Vivada Cruises, Sunderban Tiger Roar Resort, WBHIDCO with Eco Park, Ekante Cottages and Cafe Ekante, West Bengal Tourism, Continental Coffee, The Lalit Great Eastern Bakery, Benfish, Mio Amore, LIC and Others.