Naveen Urges Centre To Include Two Tourist Places of Odisha In List Of Iconic Tourism Sites

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today urged the Centre for the inclusion of at least two tourist places of Odisha in the Centre’s list of Iconic Tourism Sites.

In the letter addressed to the Union Minister of State for Tourism Prahalad Singh Patel, the Odisha CM said that the omission of Odisha’s heritage sites from the list of 17 Iconic Tourism Sites referred to in the Budget 2019-20 has come as a surprise to the State.

Naveen apprised the Union Minister that Odisha houses a mesmerising array of tourism sites, from ancient to modern, and from manmade marvels to nature’s most captivating abodes.

“The Iconic Tourism Sites would enhance visitor experience, which would lead to increase in visits of both domestic and international tourists at these destinations,” read the letter.

Patnaik has also provided the list of five tourist destinations ie-Konark Sun Temple, Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika National Park, Similipal National Park and Diamond Triangle Buddhist Circuit in his letter.

“Tourism sector contributes 13% to the State’s GDP and needs a strategic boost. Keeping in view the importance of tourism sector for the state of Odisha, it is requested that the Government of India may consider inclusion of at least two of the tourist places of importance in the list of Iconic Tourism Sites,” stated the letter.    

Also Read: Odisha Gets Rs 5993 Crore Allocation In Railway Budget