Odisha’s strong culture and heritage are its USP: Prafulla Samal

Arjya Patnaik spoke to the Tourism and Culture Minister of Odisha, Shri Prafulla Samal. Excerpts of the meaningful discussion.

Arjya: How do you rate Odisha as a tourist destination?

TM: Odisha is a magical State with myriad treasures. It boasts a little about everything. Visitors can choose from a variety of experiences – culture, heritage, monuments, nature, wildlife, beaches, tribal life, etc. Grand temples like Konark Sun temple, the ecospheres of Chilka and Bhitarkanika, the stupendous cart festival and so on. One has to see it to believe in it. My ratings will be a 10/10, I would ask the tourists to visit this State and rate themselves.

Arjya: Odisha has a tremendous potential in tourism. How far, under your leadership, has the government cultured it?

TM: We are highlighting Odisha as an upcoming destination for travel and tourism. We are also showcasing the State’s best tourist attractions through participation in various travel fairs and marts. We expect to see certain areas growing namely eco-tourism, adventure tourism, spiritual tourism, medical tourism, et al. To unlock the tourism potential of the State, we have taken initiatives to fill the existing infrastructural gap through central, State and private intervention and by renewed tourism policies. The thrust areas of our present government are better infrastructure, clean and eco-friendly environment and extensive marketing. Keeping the global trends in mind, opportunities are being recognized and preparatory actions are being taken.

Arjya: Please let us know the facts and figures of the number of tourists visiting the State in the last 5-10 years. What does the trend look like?

TM: In 2009, the tourist arrival to Odisha was 46.66 lacs. It has increased to 76.43 lacs in 2010. The foreign tourist arrival during this period has increased from 33,310 to 50,432. This shows an increase of 51% whereas the growth rate of India is 42%. As you can see, we have done slightly better (smiles).

Arjya: What is the scope of Rural and Eco tourism in Odisha?

TM: Rural and Eco tourism in Odisha has a growing and positive market response. The eco spheres of Chilka and Bhitarkanika are hot spots among the tourists. Odisha boasts of a long coast line of about 480 kms and tribes of 62 distinct varieties. It has several virgin beaches and sanctuaries which have tremendous potential for eco tourism. The State Government has taken up 8 rural tourism projects in the first phase.

Arjya: There is news that foreigners express interest to come to Odisha to relive the life of the tribes here, which is EXPERENTIAL TOURISM. Please tell us something about it. How can this unique genre of tourism be used for attracting tourists to visit the State from across the globe?

TM: As I just said, there are 62 kinds of tribes in our State. They are heterogeneous in their culture, food habits, festivals and way of living. There has been considerable interest among foreign tourists to feel and experience the life of our tribes. We have also acquired few cottages in tribal areas where the tourists can reside and share stay with the tribes and live their lives. We are working towards strengthening EXPERENTIAL TOURISM further in Odisha.

Arjya: Are we planning to launch a State level tourism campaign in a big way in Odisha like other States have already done?

TM: Odisha tourism has designed huge public campaigns nationally and internationally. For international promotions (apart from promotions and advertisements in BBC, Discovery, NGC), Odisha tourism is participating in a big way in important tourism events like WTM (London), ITB (Berlin), ITB (Asia), et al. In domestic market, we are also participating in TTF, IITM, PATWA, IITF, FICCI, GITB, etc

Arjya: How has the Chief Minister, Mr Navin Patnaik, contributed to the cause of tourism?

TM: Under the able leadership og our Hon’ble Chied minister, Odisha tourism has taken a big stride. The State tourism budget has increased in many folds in the recent years. Being a life member of INTACH, he shares a special liking for tourism. He has taken great initiatives and provided us with required opportunities to project the cultural heritage of the State through tourism.

Arjya: What is the reason behind Odisha not being able to carve a niche for itself? Why does Odisha lack a brand unlike other States in the country?

TM: It is not completely correct that Odisha has not been able to create a brand name for itself. Odisha’s strong culture and heritage are it’s USP. Odisha’s Buddhist circuit has tremendous potential for foreign tourists.

Arjya: We often hear complaints about the beaches in Odisha being very dirty and unhygienic. What do you have to say about these allegations?

TM: The beaches of the State are reasonably clean. We have number of virgin beaches which are getting popular by the day. The tourist traffic to these beaches is increasing. The State Tourism department is taking steps to maintain the cleanliness and security in some of the important beaches like Puri, Chandrabhaga, Gopalpur, Chandipur, etc.

Arjya: Natural disasters like floods, cyclones and tremors always shake the backbone of Odisha’s overall development. Are natural disasters a major deterrent in attracting tourists to Odisha?

TM: Odisha is not prone to earthquakes. Although the State is affected by floods and cyclone, it is usually confined for three to four months during monsoons which is quite an off-season for tourists.

Arjya: A place is known for its people. Are people of Odisha apt brand ambassadors for the State?

TM: The people of Odisha are very hospitable, simple and tourist friendly. Notable personalities like Miss Nandita Das (film actor and director), Mr. Dilip Tirkey (hockey player) have been appointed as the brand ambassadors of the State Tourism.

Arjya: What do you expect from the Union Tourism ministry?

TM: I would say two things. For starters, the Union Tourism ministry should help connect the Odisha Buddhist circuit with the existing Buddhist circuit of India. Also, I would request them for better air connectivity with low cost air services. Boosting air links with Asia and Middle East will enhance the State’s reputation.

Arjya: What is the biggest strength of Odisha and what is the biggest weakness in terms of tourism?

TM: Culture and Heritage are our biggest strengths. Eco tourism has great potential, Chilka lake is the largest brackish water lake in Asia, grand monuments like Konark temple, long coastline, virgin silver sand dune beaches, etc. Strengths are many. And the weakness would be that Odisha tourism is not well connected in any recognized tourism circuit of the nation.

Arjya: Are NRIs and PIOs (people of Indian origin) potential tourists for Odisha?

TM: Yes, most definitely.

Arjya: What is your future blueprint of Odisha in the tourism map of India?

TM: I have devised a structured plan for the future which I wish to achieve:-

1. To identify and fulfil the infrastructural gap in our State. Strategic planning and destination management.
2. Aggressive marketing. Marketing, promotion and branding of the State’s tourism and culture.
3. To create a clean and eco-friendly atmosphere.
4. To boost medical tourism and rural tourism.
5. To promote less explored destinations and develop them to their full potential.
6. Promotional exercises to attract more foreign tourists.
7. To achieve individual project goals as listed in the agenda for the tenure.