Growth of Tourism: Needs Infrastructure
Exotic beaches of Gopalpur attract large number of tourists, but the carrying capacity of the destination is very low with minimum number of Hotel rooms and quality restaurants. This shows a better infrastructure can only solve the problem.
The State Tourism Department has prepared a comprehensive plan for boosting the 480 km-long vast coastline of Orissa to increase tourist flow.
As stated by Tourism Minister, Debi Prasad Mishra “Nearly Rs 100 crore will be spent on tourism sector in 2008 and the main focus will be on beach tourism. Besides the budgetary support, we would also develop some pristine beaches in the State with the help of aid agencies. Infrastructure development will also be made through public-private-partnership.”
In the preliminary stage, nearly 3,000 acres patch named as “Samuka
peninsula” between Puri and Satapada will be developed as a tourist resort of
international standards.
“With a six-km-long sea frontage, the Samuka peninsula would be designed on the
lines of different peninsulas in the world. It would be dotted with the
waterfront restaurants and cafes which will be set in beautifully landscaped
gardens,” Mishra said.
He added that deals with the ad agency have reached final stage and the work would probably start from April. Initially, 1,000 acres with a two-km-long frontage will be developed.
This shows the alertness of state government to make beaches as a major tourist destination for Orissa, this will give a large private investment in the form of Hotels, Restaurants, Shopping malls etc.
