According to a PTI report, the Orissa government has approved a five-year prospective plan of Rs 718 crore for development of tourism in the state, including employment generation in the sector. The plan was prepared last year and some projects taken up last year were brought under it. “The plan envisages job to about 4.2 lakh people, including direct jobs to 1.2 lakh,” said Debi P Mishra, Tourism Minister, Orissa after Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa approved the plan.
Besides, the plan also includes establishment of an International Buddhist Conclave and Orissa Travel Mart. The state government is also planning to introduce house boats and boating facilities in Chilka Lake and Hirakud reservoir. The state has set a target of one crore tourist arrival by 2014.
Mishra added that as the rate of foreign tourist flow was low, the state government had decided to launch its campaign in international media in a bid to attract foreigners. Of the 69.1 lakh tourist arrival in the state last year, the ratio of foreign tourists was only one per cent. But efforts were on to woo them by developing Beach Tourism, Ecotourism, Rural Tourism and Buddhist Tourism. |