Bhubaneswar: The state government has asked every district to develop five to 10 smaller tourism destinations as part of a fresh push to take tourism beyond established hotspots and make it a driver of rural economic growth, employment and local enterprise.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg Saturday issued the directive while chairing a virtual orientation programme for Local Tourism Promotion Councils (LTPCs), organised by the Tourism Department under the ‘Odisha Tourism Vision 2036/47’.
Under the ‘One District-Multiple Tourism Initiatives’ approach, district administrations have been asked to identify potential tourist destinations and take up their development and promotion on a priority basis. The initiative is expected to create new economic opportunities for rural communities, women, local youth and MSMEs. Garg asked Sub-Collectors, who head the LTPCs in their respective districts, to act as facilitators for local tourism development and coordinate with various departments to remove infrastructure and other bottlenecks.
She stressed the need to develop basic amenities at tourist destinations, including roads, sanitation, signage, homestays and wayside facilities. Greater involvement and skill development of local youth, along with improved hospitality services, were also emphasised. Garg said tourism should be linked more closely with the local economy and urged district administrations to identify not only new tourist spots but also heritage sites, natural resources and potential homestay locations for development and promotion.
To encourage districts to compete in improving their tourism ecosystem, Garg proposed a ‘Tourism Ranking’ system. She also asked district administrations to accord tourism-related initiatives high priority. The government is simultaneously working on a land bank to facilitate tourism investment. Sub-Collectors were directed to identify suitable land locally and contribute to the process.
The orientation programme also reviewed investment opportunities and infrastructure requirements in hotels, homestays, tour and travel services, tourist guides, trans portation and tour packages. Adventure tourism and tourism based on tribal culture and lifestyle were also discussed.
Tourism Commission er-cum-Secretary Balwant Singh presented the Tourism Vision 2036-2047, while Tourism Director Dipankar Mahapatra outlined the proposed course of action.
