Kolkata: Odisha is expecting a tourist footfall of approximately 2.4 crore in 2021, State Tourism Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev said here Thursday. Odisha had received 1.5 crore tourists in 2018, Vishal Kumar Dev informed reporters here.
Odisha offers exciting tourist spots across 19 protected areas, including two national parks, and a Buddhist circuit, Dev said while taking part in a Odisha Tourism road show here. Dev said the state is looking forward to add a bigger chunk of foreign tourists in future.
Odisha Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, who was also present at the event, said, “We are emphasising on adventure tourism to target the foreign visitors who are more interested in such events.” The minister said an estimated one lakh foreign tourists had visited Odisha in 2018.
Of the total number of domestic tourists visiting the state in 2019, the largest share is from West Bengal according to Panigrahi. The Tourism Minister said the state is focusing on ethnic, handicrafts and eco-tourism besides laying emphasis on niche segments of heritage home stays and adventure sports.
Pani said Odisha is also developing lesser-known tourist spots like Talsari Beach, which lies near West Bengal’s Digha. “We are planning to give new look to virgin beaches. We are developing another beach near Puri,” Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi told reporters.
PNN & Agencies