Odisha Tourism office in Kolkata remains shut for over a year, tourists face inconvenience
There is a growing demand to reopen the Odisha Tourism Office in Kolkata, considering its significance in promoting the state's tourism industry.
Kolkata: The Odisha Government Tourism Office in Kolkata has remained closed for over a year, causing inconvenience to tourists. The closure has led to dissatisfaction among visitors, resulting in a decline in expected revenue from the Odisha tourism sector.
A recent Kalinga TV report sheds light on the history and significance of this office. Established on May 10, 1975, the tourism office was located on the ground floor of Utkal Bhawan in Kolkata.
Later, in the eighties during Janaki Ballav Patnaik’s chief ministership and Jugal Kishore Pattnaik’s tenure as Tourism Minister, West Bengal and Odisha tourism were linked, and the office was operational with a tourism officer and 12 employees under an assistant director’s supervision.
The office played a crucial role in booking advance tickets for panthanivas and Aranya Nivas (forest bungalows) for popular destinations like Puri, Konark, Gopalpur, and others. Retired civil servants like Annapurna Sahu and Gagan Sahu would provide valuable insights to tourists about Odisha’s tourist spots, facilitating bookings worth over Rs. 1.5 crore annually.
However, citing cost constraints and the introduction of an online booking system, the office was closed. This decision has led to widespread dissatisfaction among tourists who can no longer access information about Odisha’s tourism sector or book accommodations through the office.
Other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and several northeastern states, maintain functional tourism offices in Kolkata, actively promoting their tourism sectors through fairs and road shows. The absence of the Odisha Tourism Department is noticeable in these events.
There is a growing demand to reopen the Odisha Tourism Office in Kolkata, considering its significance in promoting the state’s tourism industry. Reopening the office could help restore the lost revenue and provide tourists with the necessary information and support to explore Odisha’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
