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Konark , 2nd March 2021 ( Odisha Samachar )- : Odisha Tourism organised a workshop on “Contemporary Tourism Scenario – Strategies for Revival into the World of (New) Next Normal for the State of Odisha” at Eco-Retreat, Konark for the Tourist Officers of the State. The workshop was organised in association with Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, Bhubaneswar to share the plans and strategies to revive and strengthen the sector over the next 3 years and expound on the vital role Tourist Officers need to play in promotion, development and sustainability of tourism in their respective districts.
Shri Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and OLLC, Govt. of Odisha, highlighted the state’s resilience in battling adversities and the good governance system that made a huge impact in changing people’s lives. He emphasised on the significance of tourism for the socio-economic development of the state. “We aim to bring the benefits of tourism to Odisha’s hinterlands by developing tourism and hospitality infrastructure coupled with training and skill development of local community members. To revive this sector, it is imperative for us all to collectively reaffirm our commitment to preserve, power and promote all aspects of tourism and hospitality and make it socially and economically sustainable,” he said. The minister informed that tourism has become a priority sector for Odisha Government with enhanced allocation of funds in the budget this year, with emphasis on development of destinations like Chandrabhaga beach, Talasari Beach, EkamraKhetra, PuriSrikhetra, Harishankar-Nrusinghnath, Maa Samaleswari, and master planning of Hirakud, Satkosia, Bhitarkanika, Koraput and other important locations in the State.
Urging the tourist officers to become the brand ambassador of their respective districts they represent, Shri Vishal Dev,Principal Secretary to Govt, Department of Tourism and Sports & Youth Services said, “Tourist Officers have a crucial role to play in the implementation of the revival strategies. They need to act as facilitators in attracting private sector investments and work towards improving ease of doing business in the state. This will not only expedite the creation of new tourism products but also add to the economic development”. He deliberated on creating experiential tourism products like homestays, heritage properties, caravan tourism, houseboats and cruises among others. Principal Secretary Shri Dev emphasised on the changing paradigm in tourism sector and elaborated the vision of the department in coming years.
Shri Sachin R. Jadhav, Director and Addl. Secretary, Department of Tourism, Govt. of Odisha, stressed on viewing the tourism sector as an industry with huge potential to contribute towards social, economic and community development. “Tourist Officers should take proactive steps to identify destinations with tourism potential and work towards maintaining a rapport with other government departments to facilitate investments for sector development,” he said. Shri Jadhav also gave insights into the strategic work being carried out by Department of Tourism under the 5T charters which includes integrated masterplanning and development of priority destinations across the state, coordinating with other government departments to facilitate land investmentand infrastructure development, marketing and promoting Odisha as a tourism hub both nationally and internationally, focus on community and livelihood development through tourism among others.
Smt. Shreemayee Mishra, Chairperson, OTDC, talked about Tourist Officers being a single window of information for tourists and investors coming to their respective districts. “Tourist Officers need to enhance their knowledge about various tourism elements and assets to promote a bouquet of tourism offerings their district has and Odisha as a whole,” she deliberated.
Smt. Manjulata Dalai, Joint Director-cum-Dy. Secretary, Department of Tourism, Govt. of Odisha, thanked the delegates, tourist officers and other eminent tourism experts for taking focused strides towards revival of tourism in the state.
The workshop comprised 5 sessions headed by eminent academicians and experienced professionals from the tourism sector.Dr. Md. Sabir Hussain, Nodal Officer (Head), IITTM Bhubaneswar gave a presentation on the Contemporary Tourism Scenarioas per the data and analytics of a global survey conducted by the UNWTO. Prof. Sitikantha Mishra, Dean – cum Advisor, School of Tourism & Hospitality Management, S ‘O’ A Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, presented various strategies the state needs to adopt for quick revival and development of tourism sector. Celebrated Architect and Photographer Mr. Shakti Nanda explored thePotential of Nature based Tourism in Odisha. Mr. Jaideep Bansal, Global Himalayan Expeditions stressed on empowering the local communities through sustainable tourism development, skill development and capacity training. He spoke of the role the stakeholders need to play not just for revival but strengthening of the tourism sector. Shri Jitu Mishra, Co-founder, Sarna Educational and Cultural Servicestaked about the need of Immersive Organic Tourism Experiences through grassroot entrepreneurship. The workshop ended with interesting Management Games by Dr.Adyasha Das, Associate professor and Coordinator-Workshop, IITTM Bhubaneswar.
