Odisha tourism roadshow held in Vizag

The State Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), organised a tourism roadshow in Vizag. The main objective is to enhance initiatives of promoting, and increasing, domestic tourism footfalls to Odisha. In view of this event a three-month glamping festival beginning on 15 December, 2021, has also been planned. Glamping is a form of camping. It has accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.

Speaking at the Odisha tourism roadshow, Additional Secretary of Odisha Tourism, Durga Prasad Mahapatra, said “Andhra Pradesh and Odisha not only share a border but also share similar deep-rooted cultures. Despite this, we have our own unique offerings to exhibit to explorers. With international travel on the backfoot again, together, our States can make this region the most sought-after winter destination for domestic tourists who are looking forward to a getaway after reeling under the pandemic”. He added visitors from Vizag can easily travel by road to Odisha via Araku

While addressing the roadshow, the Divisional Manager of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, PK Chand, said that this year they are opening seven tourist locations including Konark, Satkosia, Bitarkanika, Daringbadi, Hlrakud, Koraput, and Pati-Sonapur. “We opened only Konark in 2019 and five locations in 2020. We are expecting around 70% footfalls of tourists this year compared to 2019 footfall of tourists.”

It should be noted that after launching the ‘Odisha by Road’ campaign on World Tourism Day on 27 September, 2020, Odisha Tourism embarked on a virtual roadshow series with the travel trade in the neighbouring states to promote regional tourism. After organising several virtual roadshows, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the State has now ventured into physical campaigns to promote tourism.