Coming Home to Odisha

With niche tourism becoming the keyword for travel enthusiasts, the Odisha government plans to promote unique localised experiences through creation of homestays at select areas

Odisha is blessed with a 482 kilometer coastline, various water bodies, a National Park, a Biosphere reserve, two tiger reserves, India’s second largest mangrove ecosystem and several wildlife sanctuaries. The protection of these natural assets is intrinsic to sustainable tourism and its promotion.

Besides, Odisha has always been known for its culture and heritage, with the prime destinations including the Puri Jagannath Dham, UNESCO World Heritage Site Konark Sun Temple and the Buddhist circuit. From developing tourism for greater resilience against disruptive events such as cyclones and pandemics, to ensuring responsible design of new tourism products, Surendra Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha explains how the state government is actively working towards making the hospitality and travel sector socially and economically sustainable.

How is Odisha Tourism geared up to deliver what domestic travellers seek most – safety and security, value for money, natural beauty, wildlife and heritage?

'With systematic vaccination drive across the state, Odisha Tourism has enabled revival of tourism sector through our key tourism offerings notable being Eco-tourism, Eco Retreat Odisha, Nimantran-chain of Odia cuisine restaurants and Odisha by Road - a road trip campaign.