Odisha Looks Beyond Golden Triangle To Woo Tourists, New Fests On Menu

Bhubaneswar: The Tourism Department wants to look beyond Odisha’s Golden Triangle (Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar) by focusing on new locations to woo visitors back to the state post-pandemic.

As part of the plan, the department will organise three new festivals this year — an online Odissi Music Festival, Hirakud Festival in Sambalpur and another event in Koraput district.

The dates for the three festivals will be finalised within a month, Tourism Director Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav said.

“We do not want to confine our activities to the Golden Triangle. We will spread to new locations in southern and northern Odisha to woo tourists,” Jadhav was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

He said the maiden Odissi music festival will be held online this year. From next year, however, it will be held at prominent locations in Odisha. There is also a plan to host a festival in Mayurbhanj district next year, he added.

The department has also decided to add two more venues to the existing five for the annual Eco Retreat glamping festival. The two new locations are in the foothills of Deomali in Koraput district and Patisonapur in Ganjam district.

The other five locations are Badmul (Satkosia), Nalitapatia (Bhitarkanika), Daringibadi, Hirakud and Konark-Ramchandi.

There is also a plan to launch caravan tourism in Odisha. This will give tourists a slice of caravan tourism with camper vans, adding delight to their travel and giving them the hotel-on-wheels comfort.

Also Read: World Tourism Day: Odisha Headed In Right Direction With Emphasis On Eco-Travel