Odisha Tourism Participated in ‘VIBRANT GUJARAT’
Bhubaneswar, Feb 19: In a bid to promote Odisha Tourism and attract more tourists from Western part of the country, Sri Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister Tourism & Culture has urged for Ahemmadabad-Bhubaneswar Air connectivity. Sri Panda was addressing ‘Vibrant Gujarat’, an International level Tourism Mart in Ahemmadabad today.
Sri Panda said that Odisha located in the eastern part of Indian subcontinent, is one of the most gifted states in India from tourism view point. The temples & monuments, lakes & lagoons, forest & wildlife, beaches and riverines, dance and music, handlooms & handicrafts, rich tribal & Buddhist heritage of Odisha attract visitors & tourists. The state capital in Odisha has topped the list of 120 cities in the country to be adopt under the smart city programmes. Tourist arrival to Odisha is growing at a rate of 8%. The Domestic Tourist arrival in 2014 was 108,62,048 tourists with a growth rate of 10.08% as compared to 2013.
Similarly, the Foreign Tourist arrival to the state in 2014 was 71426 with a growth rate of 7.13% over 2013. As per the Toruism Policy, which have been launched in 2013, High level Committees at different levels have been formed for speedy and single window clearances of tourism related projects on a fast track basis.
Sri Panda said that the Buddhist Circuits of Odisha as a niche product is very important for the state and country. To position it internationally, Odisha Tourism is organising International conference on Buddhism each year and inviting Scholars and Tour Operators from abroad. To give a major boost to this sector, Air India has started Direct Air Connectivity from Bhubaneswar to Varanasi for giving an opportunity to the Buddhist tourists to have a glimpse of
the rich Buddhist heritage of Odisha.
Odisha tourism is organising Roadshows within the country in different cities to attract large bulk of domestic tourists to Odisha and this year 10 Road shows have been lined up. The state Tourism has successfully organised the IATO Annual Convention and golden jubilee celebration of FHRAI.
‘Vibrant Gujarat’ was inaugurated by Smt Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister, Gujarat while among other guests were Jordan Reeves, Consul General of Canada in India, Geoff Wain, Dy High Commissioner, UK, Jamel Baudjatia, Dy Chief of Mission, Tunisia, Sourabhbhai Patel, Tourism Minister, Gujarat and Subash Goyel, President, IATO along with members from FICCI and other tourism institutions.