One of the most underrated states in the country, Odisha is truly a wondrous place to visit. The state government has been pushing its stance on tourism pretty hard. Replete with national parks, sanctuaries, temples and more, Odisha has a lot to offer. And one of the biggest points of attraction is the Chilika Lake. One of the largest saltwater lakes in the country, it boasts of rich biodiversity. So much so that you can even catch a glimpse of the dolphins that reside here. And in a move to boost water-tourism, the Odisha government is planning on starting houseboat services on the lake. Even the Bhitarkanika National Park is all set to get houseboats.
Houseboats On Chilika Lake In Odisha
The Tourism Advisory Committee of Odisha is planning on introducing houseboats for tourists to experience a phenomenal stay on the lake. Besides this, there are also talks of introducing an annual event that will allow tourists and locals to surf the waves at Puri. Once known primarily for its temple pilgrimages, Odisha could be getting an all-new look with this move. According to the Tourism Secretary, in the first phase of implementation, the houseboats will be operated by private operators. If they see a high success rate, it could eventually become a government-run operation entirely. The surfing event will be held in partnership with the Surfing Federation of India.
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Tourism Secretary Vishal Dev said, “The Tourism Advisory Committee of the state government has recently approved a slew of activities to attract visitors to the state”.
Besides this, Dev also mentioned that they will be selecting 9 tourism circuits and 13 destinations in different parts of the state. These will, in turn, be developed to cater to new tourism activities. The circuits will include, Rambha tourism cluster, Gandhi Circuit, Kantilo Cluster, Sun City Konark, Samuka Beach, Buddhist Circuit, Konark Marine Drive Eco Retreat, Daringibadi. Plans are underway to start roadshows in Chennai, Ahmadabad, Varanasi, Raipur, Surat, and Jaipur to promote tourism in Odisha.