Odisha expects 2.4 crore tourists in 2021: Official
Kolkata: Odisha is expecting a tourist footfall of 2.4 crore in 2021, a top official of the department from the state said here on Thursday.
The state had received 1.5 crore tourists in 2018, he said.
Odisha offers exciting tourist spots across 19 protected areas, including two national parks, and a Buddhist circuit, state tourism department Commissioner cum Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev told reporters.
He was part of an Odisha tourism road show.
Dev said the state is looking forward to add a bigger chunk of foreign tourists in future.
Odisha Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, who was also present at the event, said, "We are emphasising on adventure tourism to target the foreign visitors who are more interested in them."
He said an estimated one lakh foreign tourist visited the state in 2018.
Of the total number of domestic tourists visiting the state in 2019, the larger share is from West Bengal, Panigrahi said.
The tourism minister said the state is focusing on ethnic and handicrafts tourism and eco-tourism besides laying emphasis on niche segments of heritage home stays and adventure sports.
He said Odisha is also developing lesser-known tourist spots like Talsari Beach, which lies near West Bengal's Digha.
"We are planning to give new look to virgin beaches.
We are developing another beach near Puri," he said.
