West Bengal adjudged ‘Best Destination for Culture’ by travel writers’ forum

Thursday, September 29, 2022

A global association of travel writers has named West Bengal the Best Destination for Culture. The World Tourism and Aviation Leaders’ Summit will take place in Berlin on March 9, 2023, the chief minister announced. 

Banerjee tweeted her enthusiasm to hear that the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association, a member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, will present WB with the International Travel Award 2023 for Best Destination for Culture.

In 1998, the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) was established as a professional association for travel writers. In order to enhance the standard of travel and tourism, it collaborates with both the public and private sectors to encourage sustainable growth.

Every year at the largest travel and trade show in the world, PATWA bestows a plethora of prizes while adhering to the core values of UNESCO, the UN, and the World Tourism Organisation.

The selected names that satisfy the necessary requirements are judged by a jury made up of Patwa members, officials, and travellers. With a thorough audit, the nominees are assessed against a wide range of standards.

Durga Pujo in Kolkata was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List last year. According to Sandipan Banerjee, vice president of the Forum for Durgotsab, it is a wonderful honour that West Bengal has received back-to-back accolades on the basis of its deeply ingrained cultural legacy.

The festival of Durga Puja commemorates the divine feminine and the goddess Durga’s victory over the demon ruler Mahishasura (shakti). Mahalaya, the first day of Durga Puja, marks the arrival of the goddess. On Sasthi, the sixth day, celebrations and worship get under way. The goddess is adored in her different guises as Durga, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati during the course of the next three days. On Vijayadashami, also known as the “Tenth Day of Victory,” religious icons are taken in large processions to nearby rivers where they are submerged amid loud chants and drumbeats.

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