Rejig Tourism Policy To Include Heritage Properties: Odisha’s Erstwhile Royals

Bhubaneswar: Erstwhile royals and owners of the heritage properties in Odisha have sought a rejig in the state policy to include palace tourism.

Heritage tourism has become a major draw for tourists and many royals have developed their palaces, Gajalaxmi Palace and Garh Dhenkanal at Dhenkanal, Belgadia in Mayurbhanj, Killa Aul and Kila Dalijoda in Kendrapada, Sundargarh Palace, Raj Nilgiri Palace, Nayagarh Palace, Madhupur Palace, Badamba Palace and Kalahandi  Palace – adopting the heritage homestay concept.

Braj Keshari Deb, owner of the 400-year-old Killa Aul palace, said that major challenges for heritage sector are the old assets, which require high cost of conservation and restoration, low room base which affects feasibility and high maintenance costs. “The heritage hotels in India are not just hotels, but also “living museums” that offer a glimpse into the country’s rich unforgettable past. The state should have a workable and effective Tourism Policy for exploiting the full potential of heritage tourism,” he said while speaking  at the annual meeting of the Association of Heritage Palaces of Odisha held in the city on Sunday

Convener, Intach Bhubaneswar Chapter, Anil Dhir stressed the potential of promoting palace homestays and lamented on the dismal conditions of many of the former royal palaces across the state. “These properties have their own distinctive architecture, ambience and history. Intach has restored may of the previous colonial  and royal  monuments in Odisha among which the Rani Bakhri of Sambalpur, Maritime Museum of Cuttack, Town Halls of both Balangir and Sambalpur, Netaji Birth Place Museum and Janaki Nath Bhavan are a few,” he said.

Intach has documented and listed many of the palaces and most of them are in a restorable condition, he added.

Former Tourism Advisor Utpal  Pati elaborated on the Tourism Policy of the state and how it needs to be revamped for capacity utilisation of  the heritage properties. Professor at the Indian Institute of Travel Trade  Management Adyasha Das mentioned sustainable tourism  and the need for proper packaging and promotion of the royal homestays. “Heritage Tourism, by preserving and reviving the heritage hotels, helps in reviving the rich, cultural, historical and architectural heritage of Odisha. It will also give a fillip to revive the traditional arts, crafts, music and folklore by projecting their skills through these Heritage Hotels,” she added.

Chairman of Greenpeace  India’s  South Asia Biswajit Mohanty operations spoke of the immense potential of tourism keeping in view the natural heritage of the state.  He said that this segment will be an effective for generating employment, earning revenue and foreign exchange. “It will enhance the cultural preservation, traditional crafts, fairs, festivals and creative activities. There is, perhaps, no comparable field of activity where so many people are employed directly or indirectly,” he opined.