Odisha is blessed with a 482 kilometer coastline, various water bodies, a National Park, a Biosphere reserve, two tiger reserves, India’s second largest mangrove ecosystem and several wildlife sanctuaries. The protection of these natural assets is intrinsic to sustainable tourism and its promotion.
Besides, Odisha has always been known for its culture and heritage, with the prime destinations including the Puri Jagannath Dham, UNESCO World Heritage Site Konark Sun Temple and the Buddhist circuit.
From developing tourism for greater resilience against disruptive events such as cyclones and pandemics, to ensuring responsible design of new tourism products, Surendra Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha explains how the state government is actively working towards making the hospitality and travel sector socially and economically sustainable.
How is Odisha Tourism geared up to deliver what domestic travellers seek most – safety and security, value for money, natural beauty, wildlife and heritage?
With systematic vaccination drive across the state, Odisha Tourism has enabled revival of tourism sector through our key tourism offerings notable being Eco-tourism, Eco Retreat Odisha, Nimantran-chain of Odia cuisine restaurants and Odisha by Road – a road trip campaign.
Eco Retreat Odisha, a sustainable luxury campaign event launched in 2019, has been expanded to seven niche locations this year offering 3-star resort like facilities and amenities. The locations comprise three beaches, two hill stations and two riverbank locations adjoining wildlife sanctuaries, heritage monuments, etc. This flagship project is acclaimed as a successful zero-waste glamping event that ensures conservation of natural resources, with safe and environmental-friendly activities.
Our award-winning ecotourism model is now being noticed nationally and globally. Nature camps neighbouring forests, waterbodies and protected areas have been opened up with COVID-19 safety trained staff.
Efforts are underway to spruce up and enhance the capacity of Ecotour Odisha stay facilities with more engaging and meaningful experiences like birding, trekking, stargazing, jungle safari, boating, cultural shows, etc. We are also training local community members as skilled tour guides and hospitality providers.
Events to promote art, culture and heritage are scheduled as per annual events calendar and will be held as per SOPs laid down by both the Central and the State Government. Konark Dance Festival, which is held against the backdrop of the iconic Sun Temple, was organised in the first week of December along with the International Sand Art Festival on Chandrabhaga Beach where various artists across the country participated.
As the hospitality and travel industry shows signs of recovery, how is Odisha Tourism catering to pent-up domestic travel demand to explore newer destinations?
Niche tourism has today become the keyword for travel enthusiasts. People across the world will be hungry for more meaningful exploration and conversation.
We plan to promote such unique localised experiences through creation of homestays at select areas. Odisha Tourism has already notified a scheme for establishment of homestays across various nature trails and eco-tourist spots in remote areas that will not only enable tourists to experience the rural way of life but also boost local entrepreneurship. Similarly a
scheme has been introduced to modernise the tourist boats operated by local boatmen in destinations like Chilika lagoon, Mahanadi, etc.
Eco Retreat Odisha, our flagship sustainable glamping product has already been launched across 7 exotic locations in the State and will continue till end of February 2021. Bookings for the same can be done here: With the aim of diversifying tourist experience across various waterbodies of the State, Odisha Tourism would soon be introducing overnight
cruise vessels in the backwaters of Bhitarkanika National Park. Boat Clubs offering adrenaline inducing watersports activities across various water bodies in the State have been operationalised.
We have also prioritised the operationalisation of beach shacks at various beachfronts offering tourists gastronomic experiences commensurate with beach leisure. Safety and security have been incorporated, with lifeguard teams and safety monitoring systems.
Culinary tourism is another niche offering Odisha Tourism has initiated. Nimantran, a chain of fine dine restaurants that serve authentic Odia cuisine, was launched recently. In the first phase, two restaurants, one at Bhubaneswar and another at Puri overlooking the Blue Flag beach, were inaugurated. A third restaurant at Sambalpur shall open soon Sports Tourism is another such segment which will draw both domestic and international travellers to the State. Being a partner of FIH will help promote our State in international markets while hosting the next Hockey World Cup, which is currently scheduled for 2023, will surely boost tourist footfalls in the State.
As hoteliers realise the need to remodel their business models, how will Odisha Tourism highlight its government’s decisive actions with a long-term roadmap that will help them
drive equitable growth?
By 2025, we aim to evolve from being India’s best kept secret to India’s most sought-after holiday destination.
To rebuild the tourism industry and bring in innovative tourism products in the sector, Govt. of Odisha has created an investor friendly climate. The New Tourism Policy 2016 was drafted to drive private sector investments through attractive incentivisation schemes.
Some of the financial incentives include granting of 20% of Capital Investment Subsidy, Interest Subsidy, Energy subsidy, employment cost subsidy, environmental protection infrastructure subsidy, etc.
Special Single Window Clearance Committee has been set up for quick processing of applications. This year itself tourism projects worth INR 1116.90 crore have been approved till date through the Single Window mechanism. Luxury brands like ITC, Taj Vivanta, Lemon Tree have already started operations in the state with launch of their 5-star hotels in Bhubaneswar earlier this year.
Integrated Master planning and Destination Development have been taken up at diverse locations to boost tourism offerings, facilitate private sector investments, augment livelihood development of local communities and promote local entrepreneurships. 358
destinations have been identified where basic infrastructure is being developed basis infrastructure gap analysis to help elevate the destination profile and make it investor ready.
Development of niche tourism products are also in the pipeline through various schemes and policies. Odisha Tourism is actively working on initiatives like Caravan Policy, Camping, development of Eco-cottages, River Cruises, development of 5 beach stretches akin to the standard of Blue Flag Certification, ropeways, etc.
