Tag Archives: Odisha

In a re-shuffle of the state cabinet, the Odisha government has posted Surendra Kumar, who was the Principal Secretary – Steel and Mines, in the General Administration department with the additional charge of the Tourism department as its Principal Secretary. Vishal Dev, who was the Principal Secretary of Tourism, Sports and Youth Affairs in the Odisha government, has been appointed as the new Principal Secretary of the Finance department.

In a bid to boost tourism in the post-pandemic world, the Odisha government is decking up the ecotourism destinations in the state with houseboats as well as water-sport-based recreational facilities. Over 100 destinations are likely to be included in the plan, with boats and jetties expected to be set up by December this year.

Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Minister of Tourism, Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Government of Odisha said the Chief Minister is expected to soon announce financial packages for the tourism sector.On the other hand, members of several travel associations have urged the Telangana government to take measures to provide relief to the sector.

Reuniting together, the members of Enterprising Knot of Travel & Tourism Associates (EKTTA) attended a workshop on ‘Facing the new normal’ at the State Convention Center (Lok Seva Bhavan) in Bhubaneswar. The workshop was organised by Odisha Tourism in association with Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.  

Asit Tripathy, Chief Secretary, Odisha, has asked that the department of tourism to develop homestay facilities in remote areas untouched by hotel network. “Nature trail and experiential tourism is the current fad, and Odisha has much to offer in this sector,” he said. Tripathy has directed the tourism department to ensure quality, hospitality, hygiene and safety of tourists at these facilities.

Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani has announced Heritage Tourism Policy 2020-2025 for the state to boost international as well as domestic tourism. According to the policy, historical monuments, palaces, and forts constructed before 1950 could be converted into hotels, heritage museums, heritage banquet halls and restaurants provided that ‘basic heritage’ structure is not altered.

The Odisha government plans to organise cruises in selected water bodies of the state with participation of players in order to promote tourism. Proposals invited to develop daily cruise services at Mahanadi, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia Gorge and Hirakud reservoir. Last date for submission is July 10.

In a bid to boost tourism post lockdown, Odisha government has decided to identify and enlist land parcels suitable for the development of tourism projects across the State. The land parcels found suitable for tourism projects will be shared with potential investors. Once the land is identified and demarcated, it can be offered for hotels, resorts, restaurants, camping infrastructure, water sports, eco-tourism, adventure projects, museums, convention centres and amusement parks. As part of the initiative, the Tourism department has floated an Expression of Interest (EoI) from potential landowners. Land­ owners (individual or entity) possessing land parcels of minimum 20,000 sq ft with a clear title and free from encumbrance can apply. With Odisha Tourism growing at a fast pace resulting in increasing tourist footfalls and investments especially by the private sector, a number of measures are being considered to tap investment including potential tie-up between investors and local partners particularly those who own land suitable for varied tourism projects. If found suitable, the private investor can directly contact the landowner for purchase of land or joint development of the project. It will be a win-win situation for both.

The Government of Odisha has approved eight more investment proposals worth Rs.1,649.49 crore in the 89th State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) meeting, out of which two are hotel proposals. The projects were approved in food processing, chemicals, plastics, tourism, steel downstream and infrastructure and will create employment opportunities for 1,450 people. In the tourism sector, a project by M/s Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Ltd. for expansion of its five-star hotel with an investment of Rs 150 crores, has been approved which will provide employment for 150 people and another proposal by M/s Kamat Hotels (India) Ltd. for expansion of its five-star hotel, with an investment of Rs. 52 crore has also been approved and it will provide an additional employment to around 160 people.

The Sun Temple at Konark, Odisha will soon be included in the list of iconic tourist sites, said the Union Tourism Minister, Prahlad Singh Patel. Last year, the government announced in budget to develop 17 tourism sites across the country under the Iconic Tourist Sites Development Project with a budget of Rs 5000 crore. Leaders and stakeholders from Odisha have since then demanding to include the Sun Temple of Konark in the list. No other destination from the state was included in the list. “The people of Odisha will soon receive the good news about Konark being included in the list of iconic sites. We will organise a special event to announce the inclusion very soon,” said the Minister while addressing at the concluding ceremony of two-day long National Tourism Conference at Konark. He also visited the Sun temple and reviewed the necessary preservation plans with the Archaeological Survey of India officials. Last year, there was a huge hue and cry about Konark not making it to the list announced by the Ministry of Tourism. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had requested the Union Tourism Minister to include at least two tourist places of importance from the state in the list of iconic tourist sites to be developed by the Centre.