New Bangladesh Govt Brings Light of Hope to Indian Tourism Sector
Tourism businessmen in eastern India are cautiously optimistic after BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the country's new prime minister, raising expectations over the revival of cross border travel
Anwar Hossain 
Tourism businesses in eastern India are cautiously optimistic after BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh’s new prime minister, raising expectations of improved diplomatic ties and a revival of cross-border travel.
A report by The Telegraph saido stakeholders in North Bengal — including Siliguri and the Dooars — as well as Sikkim are hopeful that Bangladeshi tourists, who form the largest share of foreign visitors to India, will return if relations improve.
According to Indian tourism data, Bangladesh has consistently been India’s top source of foreign tourists in recent years.
In 2019, Bangladesh accounted for 23.58 percent of India’s total foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs), with more than 2.6 million visitors.
In 2023, the share stood at 22.26 percent, reflecting a strong post-pandemic recovery.
However, after political unrest in Bangladesh in August 2024, the proportion fell to 17.59 percent, marking a sharp decline in arrivals.
Industry sources estimate that Bangladeshi tourists contribute thousands of crores of rupees annually to India’s economy, particularly in eastern states.
In 2024, around 80.37 percent of Bangladeshi visitors to India traveled to West Bengal and other eastern states, underlining the region’s reliance on cross-border tourism.
Impact on North Bengal and Sikkim
Tourism operators in Siliguri said that after Sikkim was opened to Bangladeshi tourists in 2018, visitor numbers rose significantly, boosting hotel occupancy rates during peak seasons by as much as 30 percent to 40 percent.
Before the latest restrictions, many mid-range hotels in Siliguri and the Dooars reported that one in every three foreign guests was from Bangladesh during peak travel months.
Samrat Sanyal, general secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network, described the political transition as positive.
“We are hopeful that relations at both government and people-to-people levels will improve. If that happens, tourist movement may resume gradually,” he said.
Relations between India and Bangladesh became strained after the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government on Aug. 5, 2024. India later restricted visas for Bangladeshi citizens, limiting them mainly to medical and emergency cases.
Currently, visa application centers in Bangladesh operating on a limited basis, creating uncertainty for travel-dependent businesses.
In Kolkata’s New Market area, traders say sales have dropped sharply over the past year. Bangladeshi visitors traditionally account for a significant share of customers in hotels, restaurants, currency exchange shops and retail outlets.
Several currency exchange outlets have already shut down, while some hotels and travel agencies have closed due to low occupancy and reduced bookings.
Industry representatives say even a partial restoration of tourist visas could quickly boost regional economies.
“If diplomatic engagement improves and regular visas resume, we expect a rapid recovery,” said a senior hotel owner in Siliguri. “The demand is there. It only needs policy support.”
Tourism experts said that given Bangladesh’s geographic proximity, cultural ties and strong demand for medical, shopping and leisure travel, any easing of restrictions could significantly lift foreign tourist numbers in India in the coming months.
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