“The state government has implemented various strategies to draw foreign tourists to Odisha,” Parida explained.
According to the DyCM, a total of 1,33,161 foreign tourists visited the state, indicating a consistent increase in the number of international visitors since 2020. Nonetheless, the count was only 2,269 in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, Odisha welcomed 10,206 foreign tourists, and this number grew to 22,171 in 2022, then to 45,173 in 2023 and 53,392 in 2024, she added, noting the surge in international visitors post-pandemic.
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Parida indicated that among foreign tourists from 2020 to 2024, 4,423 hailed from Japan, followed by Italy (3,830), Germany (3,722), the United Kingdom (3,715), and France (3,008).
In response to another query, Parida mentioned that the overall tourist arrivals in the state jumped to 1,13,83,556 in 2024-25, up from 1,00,14,175 in 2023-24.
Additionally, Parida informed the Assembly that the remarkable increase in visitor numbers can be attributed to the government’s initiatives to boost tourism in the state. Among key efforts, she highlighted improvements to tourism infrastructure at significant sites and the provision of basic amenities for visitors.
Besides promotional campaigns across various media, Parida stated that the state government is hosting events such as festivals, the International Sand Art Festival, and cultural programs to entice tourists.
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The state actively participates in numerous national and international travel fairs to attract tourists and showcase its potential in the tourism sector, she noted.
The deputy chief minister also mentioned ongoing efforts to develop a policy aimed at attracting investments in the sector, focusing on creating eco-retreats at picturesque locations like Ramchandi, Bhitarkanika, Daringibadi, Satakosia, Hirakud, Putsil, and Sonapur to cater to a range of tourist interests.
