Odisha is on the path to becoming a medical and wellness tourism hub, with new policies being implemented to augment the state's tourism sector. During the recently held Make in Odisha Conclave '22, the new Odisha Tourism Policy 2022 was unveiled by Minister of Tourism & OLLC Ashwini Kumar Patra.
He announced that the ministry intends to invest more than INR 7,800 crores from about 85 investors. "This is a shining example of the focused efforts being made by the Department of Tourism under the strong and able leadership of Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik and his mission to develop Odisha as a Tourism Hub of International Standards," said Patra.
The new policy will focus on areas such as medical and wellness, with incentives for integrated development with hospitals attached to 3-star hotels and above. This is primarily to promote Odisha as a medical and wellness tourism destination, informed Patra.
New Developments
Odisha is a cultural hub with a rich heritage of nature and wildlife, which the tourism department plans to capitalise on. Two roadmaps were also released, deemed to guide the development of the state's tourism sector. This guide will also include focused interventions across key destinations based on gap assessment and plans.
Surendra Kumar, principal secretary of the tourism department, said, "Odisha is one of the few states that provides land for tourism projects at industrial rates. The slew of incentives Odisha offers for tourism development is far more than what other states currently offer." He also added that guided by this new tourism policy, Odisha will soon emerge as one of the leading destinations for MICE, wellness, eco-tourism and sports tourism.
Key Events
One of the panels was on the augmentation of accommodation and tourism infrastructure, moderated by Anindita Ghosh, Editor of Outlook Traveller. On the panel were renowned personalities from the travel and hospitality sector, including Rohit Chopra, Director of India & South Asia ACCOR Group, Arun Chittilappilly, MD of Wonderla Holidays, JK Mohanty, co-Chairman FICCI Tourism Committee, and Santosh Kumar from Booking.com, along with Souvagya Mohapatra of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts.
Another panel discussion on the state's nature and wildlife tourism potential was graced by eco-tourism experts like Jahnabi Phookan, Director of Jungle Travels India, Anikethan C, AGM of Jungle Lodges & Resorts, govt of Karnataka, among several others.