manish kumar, post news network, Bhubaneswar, April 22: With the Union government all set to unveil the National Tourism Policy-2015 on May 15, everyone connected to the tourism industry in this coastal state is waiting with bated breath to see what changes it brings to increase the footfall of tourists, both domestic and foreign, in Orissa, which has a rich cultural heritage and locations steeped in history. The Union government in an attempt to boost tourism across the country wants to redefine the goals, objectives and strategies governing tourist footfall within the country. The existing tourism policy had come into effect in 2002.
Union minister of state (culture) Mahesh Sharma in a recent meeting with different stakeholders of tourism in the state, including government officials and private tour operators, had hinted at some new steps that were likely to be taken. He has already mentioned about introducing an online ticketing system in 25 famous monuments of India. This initiative is likely to kick start the e-ticketing for entry into the famous Sun Temple at Konark.
The 2002 policy had introduced the concept of a dedicated ‘tourist police’ that assisted visitors at several famous tourist and pilgrimage sites in India, including Orissa. The policy also dwelt on developing infrastructure facilities at the famous sites in the country, such as the Chilika Lake, which are rich in biodiversity.
The involved parties, meanwhile, are enthused by the interest the MoS has been taking in tourism-related affairs in Orissa. Sharma has already visited the state and has taken a tour of the craft village, Raghurajpur and the state capital and spoke in detail about programmes like National Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) and Swadesh Darshan, which will pave the way for developing the Buddhist sites and the coastal circuits of Orissa, besides deliberating on the possibilities and prospects of cruise tourism. The Union tourism department, meanwhile, had also been working on the plans to build a museum at Lalitgiri, one of the Buddhist sites in the state.
Experts from the state, however, are of the opinion that the Central government will target the unexplored/not-so-explored tourist sites in the state. Sasanka Sekhar Rath, tourist officer, state tourism department, while speaking to the Orissa POST, said, “There are several potential spots in Orissa which could be developed to boost tourism. The Central government, which has been working hard to make waterways to better utilise the rivers, can think about starting cruise tourism on the Mahanadi river, which flows from Sambalpur to Cuttack in this coastal state. If started, this can also help in promoting some of the famous sites on the banks of the river.” The cruise can cover such famous places as Satkosia, leaning temple of Huma, textile villages in Sambalpur among others.
Sarat Acharya, member of Orissa Tour Operators Association, said, “I believe the Central government needs to shift focus from some of the very popular sites to potential tourist sites in the state. In Orissa, they can focus on the western part, which is rich in textiles, ethnicity and natural resources and has a great cultural heritage. Places like Sonepur and Sambalpur have been known for their rich textile and terracotta heritage. If proper attention is being given, these places can turn out to be good tourist circuits. Government needs to improve the infrastructure at these places.”
Benjamine Simon, chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (Orissa Chapter), however, wants special focus on the existing sites, especially those related to the Buddhist culture and heritage.
“The Buddhist heritage sites in the state are of global importance. Every effort should be made to build world-class infrastructures at these sites, which can potentially attract tourists from the south east Asian countries as these share common religions. Moreover, Dhauli math should be converted into a world peace convention centre to mark the importance of the Kalinga war.”
What to expect:
- A museum at Lalitgiri, one of the Buddhist sites in the state.
- Cruise tourism on Mahanadi. The cruise can cover such famous places as Satkosia, leaning temple of Huma, textile villages in Sambalpur among others.
- Development of the not-so-explored destinations in western Orissa. Places like Sonepur and Sambalpur have been known for their rich textile and terracotta heritage. If proper attention is being given, these places can turn out to be good tourist circuits.