The tourism expansion plan that the Government of Odisha has embarked on, is expected to witness the development of 15 tourist destinations. This will, in turn, generate job opportunities for 15 lakh people in the state. The plan is in line with the state’s goal of Viksit Odisha at 2036. The objective is to make Odisha one of the topmost eco-cultural tourism hubs in Asia over the next decade. To enable this, the state government is planning to improve the infrastructure, offer a variety of tourism products and draw more tourists.
Since tourism is one sector where a large number of people, especially those with low income, from the local areas can be leveraged and employed. In the process, the state will get an opportunity to showcase the culture, traditions and food that are unique to Odisha.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi mentioned the plan during the recent inauguration of the seventh edition of the Konark Eco Retreat, along the Puri-Konark marine drive.
Odisha has already contributed significantly to the local economies thanks to the eco-retreats thriving on nature-based tourism at Bhitakanika, Daringbadi, Sonapur, Satkosia and Konark. Some of these retreats will be used to host state-level meetings in the near future.
Such retreats are an ideal way to not only employ locals but also spread awareness about nature and the environment, and also create economic activity even while preserving and protect the natural ecosystems.