Govt ready to transform state into adventure tourism destination

Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt on Tuesday finalised the Odisha Adventure Tourism Guidelines-2025 at a high-level meeting chaired by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The guidelines aim to transform Odisha into a major destination for adventure tourism by developing the state's natural and thrilling locations.

Finalising the guidelines, Majhi said, "Tourism projects in Odisha will be developed with the perspective of ‘Think India, Think Odisha' along with other sectors. The adventure tourism sector will be made so attractive that when people think of visiting India, Odisha will be the first name that will come to their minds."

In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a developed India by 2047, plans are being made for the development of various sectors in Odisha, with tourism being a significant focus area of our govt, Majhi said.

The newly-adopted guidelines propose the mapping and development of adventure tourism sites across all 30 districts by introducing rafting in Satkosia and hot air ballooning over Hirakud, along with similar facilities at other locations.

One of the key focus areas of the guidelines is the engagement and empowerment of youth. According to the guidelines, training and certification will be provided to the youth for various adventure tourism activities on water, land, and air, creating extensive employment possibilities for them.

To support the expansion, the govt will encourage private sector participation. Interested private companies can apply through the ‘Go Adventure' portal. Arrangements have been made to provide attractive incentives to private institutions for investment in the tourism sector under the Odisha Tourism Policy-2022. The state govt's efforts will continue to develop Odisha as an attractive hub in the globally competitive tourism sector. The meeting was attended by chief secretary Manoj Ahuja and tourism secretary Balwant Singh.