The global economic crisis and liquidity crunch in the country are taking a toll on tourism in West Bengal, with private operators and hoteliers complaining of a sharp drop in bookings for the coming festive season in the state.

Tourism in India has grown steadily in the past few years despite rise in world crude oil prices and the global meltdown, but it is yet to see its full potential, Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said Tuesday.

India’s political establishment Monday joined the cricket board to slam Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray after he criticised cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar’s "Mumbai belongs to all" comment.

Despite housing the Taj Mahal and two other World Heritage monuments, Agra’s tourist flow remains more or less static due to poor infrastructure and an unclean environment, say hotel owners and tour operators.

India’s political establishment Monday joined the cricket board to slam Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray after he criticised cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar’s "Mumbai belongs to all" comment.

Kerala tourism needed some good news after being hit by global recession and the Thekkady boat tragedy in September. It has got the pep with the National Geographic rating its backwaters as the world’s 23rd best destination, giving the sector a reason to smile.