Bhubaneswar: 19 July 2024 ( pratyushanews ) The Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) has been promoting the vast tourism potential of Odisha by closely interacting with the State Tourism Department since 1984 and following up the critical issues with the concerned Government officials for growth of the tourism. We have been regularly providing the Department with latest information on the tourism sector and have been conducting workshops, seminars, trade shows and participating in various tourism roadshows held in India and abroad. although there is vast tourism potential of Odisha we have not progressed much like other states such as Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the North East, but having the kind of potential we in Odisha can definitely take our state to much greater Today Hrao Hon Chairman J k mohanty briefing media told that we aim to share few suggestions for kind consideration of the Government State Tourism Policy has not been successful in developing tourism infrastructure nor to attract foreign tourists to the State, nor have we been successful to attract the best of domestic tourists to the State. The Government needs to change the Tourism Policy in consultation with the stakeholders and travel trade organizations urgently. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecast, the turism sector is an important source of income for the Indian economy. The industry contributed Rs. 15.9 Lakh Crore and Rs. 16.5 Lakh Crore to the country’s GDP in 2022 and 2023 respectively. For the growth of tourism in Odisha, development of tourism infrastructure should be taken care of on priority as are happening in Goa, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, North East states which will not only contribute to the growth of economy but also provide ample employment opportunity. Additionally, the industry generated 35 million jobs in 2022/23, exhibiting an 8.3% growth over the last year, with a projected increase to 53 million over the next decade. In terms of international tourist arrivals, a total of over 230 million international arrivals were recorded in 2023 in the Asia Pacific region, of which India accounted for 7.2 millions.speaking guides with thorough knowledge, improving lighting, toilet facilies at Buddhist Museums in Laligiri. Ratnagiri & Udayagiri etc will definitely attract tourists to our state. Chilika Lake is the goldmine for tourism in Odisha and needs attention of the State government to develop eco-tourism and infrastructure for promoting the area on priority basis. World class branding is required in international and national markets through electronic/print media / social media campaigns required to attract foreign as well as domestic tourists as well as attract investors to invest in this sector, As foreign tourists spend four times more than domestic tourists, Government may work out for conducting international roadshows in the countries such as Bangladesh, UK, Australia, Sri Lanka, Germany, Nepal, Singapore, Japan, USA, Canada, Malaysia, Russian Federation, France, Thailand, Italy, etc., from where India receives highest number of foreign tourists. International blog writers, travel writers and tour operators should be continuously invited on FAM trip to highlight the State. a. Presently the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India has close down all India Tourism Offices in the foreign countries and have entrusted the promotion of tourism to the Indian Embassies under the Ministry of External Affairs. As Officers of Ministry of External Affairs do not have much knowledge on tourism, we request the State Government specially the Tourism Department should establish direct contact with the Indian Embassies abroad and invite them on FAM tours to Odisha. This move will enrich the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs on the tourist potential of our State and they can convey this to the foreign tourists who wish to visit India. Odisha should give more attention for more direct International flight connectivity apart from Singapore, Bangkok, and Dubai for a better connection with all the tourism circuits. Presently as direct flights has been started from Bhubaneswar to Singapore, Bangkok and Dubai, the traffic is only one way, i.e. from Odisha to these places. It is necessary for us to attract tourist from these three countries to Odisha by making aggressive tourism promotional campaign in these countries through the Indian Embassies. We request the Government to kindly look into the above suggestions of the hospitality and travel trade fraternity which will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the tourism sector in Odisha, enhancing its growth.
