According to the Indian Bureau of Immigration, an extraordinary surge of Bangladeshi tourists flooded Indian cities from April 8 to 14, with a daily influx of 10,000 to 12,000 individuals passing through the Benapole-Petrapole border alone.

Many more travelers opted for air or alternative land routes such as Hili, Dawki, and Akhaura, making their way to bustling urban centers like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai. The total estimated number of Bangladeshi arrivals via road, air, and rail during this one-week period reached approximately 150,000.

This surge in tourism is unprecedented, especially in the context of recent online campaigns in Bangladesh advocating for an "India Out" movement and the boycott of Indian goods.

Indian officials noted that despite such sentiments, the surge in visitors during the holiday season underscores the enduring and growing people-to-people ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to Bangladeshi citizens, conveyed through a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, further highlighted the warmth between the two countries. Modi's gesture, especially amidst his election campaign commitments, was deemed significant.

Officials from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs reported a significant increase in visa applications from Bangladesh leading up to Eid, prompting a rush of tourists during the holidays. Visa processing surged, with a record number of approvals issued in a short period, reflecting the mutual respect and affection between the peoples of India and Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi tourism to India has been on the rise, with the country surpassing the US as the leading source of foreign tourist arrivals before the pandemic. While there was a slight decline during the lockdown years of 2020 and 2021, tourist numbers rebounded to pre-pandemic levels by 2022. This year's influx, particularly during the mentioned week, stands out as unprecedented.

Bangladeshi tourists have traditionally favored destinations like Delhi, Agra, and Ajmer Sharif Dargah, with recent trends showing increased interest in places like Kashmir, Ladakh, Darjeeling, and Sikkim. However, Kolkata remains the top choice, with its New Market area and Sudder Street being particularly popular among visitors.

The surge in tourism has led to full bookings in hotels across central Kolkata, with a significant portion of guests being from Bangladesh. Even upscale establishments like The Oberoi Grand and The Peerless Inn have seen a substantial increase in Bangladeshi clientele, indicating a broader trend of upscale tourism from Bangladesh to India.

Bangladeshi travelers cite Kolkata's affordability, especially in comparison to other international destinations like Bangkok or Singapore, as a major draw. The city's offerings in terms of shopping and hospitality make it an attractive choice for tourists from Bangladesh.