Odisha Tourism took the opportunity to conduct extensive background work to revive Tourism and the results are what we are seeing today, Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Minister of Tourism, Odia Language, Literature & Culture, Government of Odisha, said while addressing the ‘Odisha Tourism Virtual Roadshow- 2020’.
“This an opportune time to reach out to the tour operators from West Bengal. Odisha receives 14 per cent of its tourists from West Bengal. The relation between the two states is like two sides of the same coin, with similarities in culture and cuisine. An MoU for joint promotion of tourism between the states will surely enhance the movement of tourists between the states,” Panigrahi said.
Vishal Kumar Dev, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism, Govt of Odisha, said, “We have taken the adherence to safety protocols very seriously. Odisha has conducted extensive training and workshops for all the tourism stakeholders involved on the safety measures and protocols. All the necessary steps have been taken to ensure that Odisha is ready to welcome tourists to the state. The biggest differentiator would be to generate the confidence of the tourists to travel and we collectively need to send a clear message that the destinations are safe to visit.”
“We are happy to welcome and host the tour operators from West Bengal on a familiarization tour to show the new tourism products of Odisha,” he added.
Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director -Tourism, said, “Odisha is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel starting with the Eco-Retreat receiving an enthusiastic response from the tourists, which is very reassuring. We believe that with the cooperation between the tourism fraternity of West Bengal and Odisha, we will hasten the recovery of tourism, especially in the eastern region.”
West Bengal and Odisha share many cultural similarities. To promote tourism exchange between the two states, Odisha launched three road trip itineraries that are mapped out in detail to give the tourist a truly immersive experience. The first road circuit, ‘Deep into the Mangroves’, from Kolkata to Bhitarkanika via Bichitrapur Sanctuary & Chandipur (4N-5D), covers key destinations, Bichitrapur Mangrove Sanctuary, Talasari Beach, Chandipur’s Receding Beach, Aul Palace and Bhitarkanika National Park along this route.
The second road trip circuit, ‘The Trail of Cascades-Keonjhar’, from Kolkata to Keonjhar – 500 km (3N-4D) covers the Bhimkund Waterfalls, Sitabinji Caves’ fresco paintings, Terracota craft village at Ghatagaon, Gundichaghai Waterfalls, Sanaghagara & Badaghagara Waterfalls and Kanjipani Ghati.
The third road trip circuit, ‘Tiger trails and Royalty’ from Kolkata to Similipal – 470 Km (3N-4D) will cover the Belgadia Palace, Similipal Tiger Reserve, Sitakund Waterfall & Ecotourism Zone, Barehipani – India’s second highest waterfall and the Nawana Valley.
