While the state government for the development of religious tourist destinations had sanctioned INR 200 and 350 crores in 2019 and 2020 respectively, this year encompassing all religious projects, the Government of Odisha has sanctioned a budget of INR 1,500 crores to make religious destinations ready post-COVID, informed Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Minister of Tourism, Odia Language, Literature & Culture, Government of Odisha. He was speaking at the Second Travel, Tourism & Hospitality e-Conclave organized by FICCI recently.
“While the sector reels under the effects of COVID-19, we have been doing the background work needed to elevate the state’s tourist destinations. Puri is the first city in the country to boast of direct tap drinking water. We are now trying to replicate the same in other tourist destinations as well,” added Panigrahi.
The minister says that even though international travel has taken a backseat, domestic travel and tourism is slowly on the rise. The projects that Odisha is taking up currently will help the tourism sector in a positive way. He further says that Odisha Government is endeavouring to make the sector future-proof while improving the livelihood of local communities.
“We have drafted the Odisha Tourism Development Facilitation and Regulation Bill that will empower the Government to register service providers, regulate activities in tourist areas, facilitate bonafide investment proposals and ensure tourist safety against malpractices,” concludes Panigrahi.
