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KOLKATA: Despite rising concern among environmentalists, state tourism minister Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury is resolute to start chopper services to Sunderbans in his multi-pronged bid to woo foreign tourists to the state.Chowdhury on Thursday met transport minister Madan Mitra to apprise him of his plans to introduce helicopter services also in Darjeeling and Sagar Island. He said it was for the transport department to decide if they can ply choppers with the help of private parties.The minister said that he also wants to include Bengal in the Centre's advertisement campaign of 'Incredible India'. Besides, he will be writing to the railways minister to showcase the tourist spots of Bengal in the advertisements displayed on the trains.He feels tourists should be provided with better facilities in terms of transport and rest houses and therefore met PWD secretary Ajit Ranjan Bardhan to discuss the matter. Apart from plans to set up new bungalows in Dooars and Terai, Chowdhury wants to introduce cruise rides along Sagar Island and speed boats to ferry tourists from Babughat to the island during Sagar mela.The plans might seem whimsical, but the minister knows how to go about executing it. He wants to redesign the tourism department's website in such a manner that it will leave tourists awestruck. Chowdhury has also ordered his officials to distribute brochures at all the airports in the country, while kiosks may be set up at all major airports to hard sell Bengal.

Pictures of different tourist spots in the state will be put on display at certain vantage points, including all the rooms in the secretariat. A tourism helpline is also on the agenda list.

This apart, Chowdhury wants to raise awareness among the masses and sought for installation of TV screens in long-distance buses. Videos showcasing various tourist spots will be continuously played to draw tourists.

"Next week we are going to introduce paragliding in Digha. Once the plan is a success, we will introduce it Kolkata so that tourists can get a view of the city from top," the minister said, adding that training centres for tourist guides will come up in Kolkata, Malda and Siliguri.