Tourists flock back to Gopalpur

Tourist arrivals gained momentum after restoration of cyclone ravaged infrastructure by district, local authorities

The tourism sector in Ganjam district, which was hit hard by cyclone Phailin and subsequent floods, is limping back to normal with gradual inflow of tourists to different destinations in this south Odisha district.

Tourist arrivals have gained momentum in places like Gopalpur, Rambha, Tara Tarini temple and other places after restoration of cyclone ravaged infrastructure by the district and local authorities, said district tourist officer, Sanatan Nayak.Gopalpur, the beach town, where cyclone Phailin had its landfall, is now abuzz with activities following arrival of tourists while the local authorities have made efforts to clean up the post-calamity debris to welcome them.

“We have completed the restoration work in our hotel immediately after the cyclone hit the town on October 12 and the tourists have started arriving”, said Mayfair Plam Beach Hotel manager, Harihara Mohapatra. Besides the domestic tourists, a number of foreigners have also landed in the town. Most of them are from USA, Canada, Italy, Korea, Britain, Germany and Belgium.Though the occupancy in hotels is yet to reach its full capacity, the hoteliers expected the normalcy would return soon as the restoration work in the town was in full swing.

There are about 20 major hotels in Gopalpur, including the panthanivas of Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC). The peak tourist season in the state spans from October to March.

“We have restored the lighting system in the beach on priority basis for the convenience of the tourists”, said Gopalpur notified area council (NAC) executive officer, R. Ch Mishra. Similarly, the visitors from West Bengal and other places have thronged to Rambha to see Chilka lake. "The boating has also started at the site”, said manager, Rambha panthanivas Rabi Das.Tampara, another tourist site near Chhatrapur, however, is yet to come back to its old state as the boating club, jetty, decorative electric poles and other infrastructure facilities there were damaged severely, said a tourist officer. “It may take some more days to restore normalcy”, he said.