Tourist footfall up by 12 per cent in Odisha

With the state registering a growth of about 12 per cent in tourist inflow, Odisha government today planned to firm up a specific action plan for linking it with the Budhist Circuit in the country.
"....The tourist footfall in 2014-15 has increased by 12 per cent over the last year," Culture and Tourism Secretary Aravind Pahdee said.
He stated this year around 1.08 crore tourists visited Odisha, against 98 lakh in 2013-14.
"The department has also been asked to prepare definite action plan for linking Odisha with Budhist Circuit," Pati said addingt that the department has been asked to prepare an estimate for having a special coach between Bhubaneswar and Bodhgaya.

A Buddha art gallery has been set up at Buddhist Park, Bhubaneswar, he said.
Further, the Chief Secretary has advised the department to revamp the art gallery of the state museum and link up the institutions imparting training in tourism and hospitality with Rojgar Yojna, he said.

Keeping in view the success of the Nabakalebara Festival-2015, Pati suggested the department prepare a regular media plan for Car Festival in ensuing years and showcase the festival as a major occasion for promotion of Odisha tourism.
Padhee also said that trial run of Light and Sound show at Dhauli has successfully been done and all other preparations have been completed.

Padhee, who had attended the meeting on RFD (Result Framework Document) under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary G C Pati, called for strengthening 'Odia Bhasa Pratisthan' for enabling them to support implementation of Odia in all government transaction and correspondences.