After three years of imposing restrictions on visit of foreigners to tribal pockets, the State Government is now contemplating to relax those restrictions in view of dwindling of foreign tourist footfall.
The Government had restricted foreign tourists to visit tribal-dominated and Maoist-infested regions after two Italian nationals were abducted by Maoists in 2012.
Mainly foreign visitors come to the State for trekking in jungles, adventure sports and tribal tourism which had been stopped due to restrictions. Once the restrictions are lifted, foreign tourist footfall would increase, said an Tourism Department official
Sources said a committee headed by Home Secretary would give its recommendations to the State Government following which a notification would be issued in this regard.
Tourists from Canada, France, the United States of America, Malaysia, Spain, Australia, Italy, and other European countries are drawn towards the tribal-dominated districts like Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Kandhamal. They used to visit these districts and study the lifestyle of these native tribes.
As per data available, 1,834 foreign tourists visited Odisha in 2012, 1,706 in 2013 and 1,184 in 2014. This showed a declining trend and is a major cause of concern for the tourism industry.
While 5498 tourists from France visited Odisha in 2012, it dropped to 4825 in 2014. Similarly, 3718 tourists from Italy visited the State in 2012 and 1,256 from Spain visited during that time which dropped to 905 in 2014.
“The Maoist-related violence has come down in the State in the recent times. Hence, we are contemplating to relax the restrictions imposed on foreign tourists,” Tourist Director Anil Samal said.