Business Research Methods

IIM KOZHIKODE

Employment Generation in West Bengal

through Development of Local Tourism

A Business Research Management Proposal

By

Soumyarup Dasgupta

PGP/16/172

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify why tourism in the state of West Bengal is lagging behind

the national average and estimate how improvements made in this sector will be able to generate

more employment in the state.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach

The problem was structured using the Stakeholder framework to understand the interplay of

various forces affecting the tourism industry. Other tools such as Behaviour over Time (BOT)

Graphs and Causal Loops were also used to illustrate the linkages between those factors affecting

growth of tourism and consequently employment in the state.

Primary and secondary research was carried out to identify causes behind the current lag, what

gaps need to be plugged and what employment potential can be generated by doing so. The main

tourist spots that need to be targeted were also identified and one of them used as representative

to assess the probable impact of tourism growth on employment.

Findings

The findings reveal that infrastructure bottlenecks are the main impediments towards growth of

tourism in West Bengal, especially lack of proper roads and good hotels. Low awareness among

tourists as well as the volatile law and order situation in the state also contribute to WB’s small

share in Indian tourism.

However the findings also reveal that with proper channeling of funds at the disposal of the WB

government, it is possible to take advantage of the unique geographical, historical and cultural

landmarks in the state and increase employment opportunities in this sector by at least 50% by

2016.

Practical Implications

This research paper provides detailed reports on what tourist places in West Bengal need to be

targeted, what needs to be done to increase tourist footfall in such places and finally what can be...