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Odisha has recorded inflow of Rs 2782.47 crore in 2013 up to July through tourist spending. The figure includes Rs 2667.85 crore through domestic tourists and Rs 114.62 crore from inbound foreign tourists.
Till the end of July, 5.31 million domestic tourists had flocked to different tourist destinations in Odisha while the number of their overseas counterparts was comparatively smaller at 35,797. In 2012, more than nine million domestic tourists visited Odisha of which around 60 per cent visitors were from within the state. Inbound foreign tourists numbered 64,719 in the same year, tourism minister Maheshwar Mohanty informed the state assembly through a written reply.
The state's overall tourist earnings, inclusive of foreign and domestic tourists, stood at Rs 4752.70 crore in 2012. Of this, the overseas tourists contributed a paltry Rs 207.24 crore.
To boost tourist inflow, the minister said that the state government was stressing on tourism infrastructure, international air connectivity and widespread publicity of tourist spots.
