Odisha is a pocket-friendly tourist destination having quality infrastructure and a diversified product portfolio comprising forests, sea, wildlife, tribal groups and hills, said State Tourism Principal Secretary Surendra Kumar on Sunday.
Speaking during a programme on the second day of Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) 2022, he rated Odisha amongst top States having quality roads and connectivity.
Kumar said, “Odisha has many things to offer to tourists. In some parameters, we are far ahead of others. Our people are nice and hospitable. Our roads are very good. The most important aspect of this is that the State is very pocket-friendly as you don’t need to think much about budget.
Director of Odisha Tourism Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav said, “Two boat clubs are operational in the State. Two beachfront promenades at Ramchandi and Tampara lake are already operational. Tampara lake is gaining great importance as a tourist destination for people coming from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Our plan is to add 24 cottages which are to be managed by reputed private operators. We are also promoting investment in tourism sector. In last four years we have cleared 76 projects worth more than Rs 2,700 crore which will create 3,000 direct and 10,000 indirect employments. As many as 3,000 local entrepreneurships are also being promoted through these projects.”
Talking to foreign tour operators, cochairman of FICCI Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Committee JK Mohanty discussed the rich Buddhist culture in Odisha.
Comparing Odisha with other States, he said people who visit Rajasthan only see palaces and desert; but in Odisha, they get chance to stay in lavish royal palaces and can visit forests and see wildlife animals. People whjo are going to Agra only see Taj Mahal; but in Odisha, they can see the iconic Konark Temple and many other beautiful temples across the State.
Among others, Gayatridevi Group Director Nirupama Biswal, Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) Chairman Lelin Mohanty and Hockey India President Dillip Tirkey also spoke at the event.
The three-day Odisha Travel Bazaar 2022 is organised by the Department of Tourism and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
About 25 foreign tour operators from countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam and 83 buyers from cities like Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chandrapur, Chennai, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Mangalgiri, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nasik, New Delhi and NCR, Panjim, Pune, Raipur, Rohtak, Siliguri, Surendra Nagar, Trivandrum, Varanasi and Visakhapatnam took part in the event.
