The State Government has decided to rejuvenate the tourism sector for scaling up economic activities both in rural and urban areas in the post-lockdown period. This was revealed in a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy on Thursday.
Tripathy wanted to bring domestic tourism to core focus as this segment is expected to revive faster than international tourism. The department was directed to bring out packages for promoting intra-State tourism. Tripathy also wanted proactive steps to attract private investment in the hospitality and tourism sector, particularly at key tourist locations.
The meeting decided to prioritise destination development projects like Rambha and Satpada clusters in Chilika, Bhitarkanika National Park, Chandrabhaga and Talsari beachfront development. It was further decided to explore possibilities of developing Eco-Retreat 2020 hubs in the locations like Daringibadi, Debrigarh, Satkosia, Konark and Mahanadi riverbed between Naraj and Dhabaleswar. A comprehensive development of the Buddhist Circuit and the Shamuka Project was also brought to focus.
Tourism Secretary Vishal Dev apprised that his department has made a holistic assessment of the Covid-19 impact on Odisha Tourism involving key stakeholders from hotels, restaurants, resorts, tour operators, adventure sports, home-stays and boat operators. He suggested that on lifting of lockdown, there could be liaison with financial institutions for all possible support to the industry players.
Odisha Tourism road shows would be held in major cities of neighbouring States and Tier-II cities across the country to attract domestic tourists.