The Odisha Government has further opened up its tourism sector for private investments from within and outside India.The State government, which is holding road shows to attract investments, is offering a slew of incentives for private investments in tourism development, including allotment of land on priority basis and five per cent interest subsidy on hotel projects.
“We are the only state that is offering interest subsidy on hotel projects. Major hotel chains are in talks with us to set up projects in the State,” J K Mohanty, Member, Odisha State Tourism advisory Board, told media persons here today. The hotel chains that are showing interest in the State include Radisson, JW Marriott and ITC.
“About six to seven projects are in discussion stage for projects at Samuka Beach, where we have about 1000 acres of land. We expect a few four and five star hotel projects to take off soon,” he said. The tourism department is focussing on the Buddhist circuit, planning the second International Buddhist Conference at Udaygiri-Ratnagiri complex in Feburary 2014.
“Apart from this, the State Government has collaborated with the Indian railway to bring a special luxury train named Mahaparinirvana Express from Delhi next month to connect all major Buddhist centres of India with the Buddhist circuits of Odisha,” Utpal Pati, Deputy Director, Odisha Department of Tourism, said.
Read the full report here, Hindu Business Line
