Kolkata, Feb 5 (IANS): After rolling out initiatives to promote eco-tourism, the West Bengal government is gearing up to pitch its best private healthcare establishments for medical tourism ventures.

A.R. Bardhan, principal secretary of the Bengal tourism department, said travellers could avail twin benefits through the medical tourism.

"People from Western countries can visit the state as tourists and during their stay they can also get their medical needs met at a relatively low cost at our best healthcare institutes," Bardhan told the media here Thursday.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the 'Destination East' meet organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

To boost the concept, Bardhan said the next steps would be to showcase medical products by Bengal's leading hospitals at the international tourism fairs.

"I will take them along to international travel forums and fairs, such as World Travel Market, London, and give them space to sell their products and offers. I will bear the cost of arranging the space," Bardhan said.

In addition, the state government is also mulling conducting road shows with hospitals from south India.