Odisha Government is all set to unveil a new tourism policy soon with a focus on developing infrastructure and promoting hotel industry by providing incentives. “The draft is almost completed and the new policy will be declared after it is approved by the cabinet.

• The state Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda to lay the foundation stone of tourism amenities centre (Jajabara) at Girishola (Rs 1.50 crore), development works of two temples — Sidha Bhairabi and Dhabaleswar and inaugurated three cottages of the Pathanivas, Gopalpur-on-Sea.
• The cottages are constructed with an investment of Rs 1 crore. The policy has laid emphasis on infrastructure development and increasing subsidy for establishment of hotels in the state to attract private investors.
• The subsidy amount for the establishment of hotel is 25 per cent at present.
• The state government would spend Rs 82 crore for infrastructure development of the tourist sites in 2016-17. The amount for infrastructure development was Rs 72 crore in 2015-16.
• Besides, the government would develop the coastal tourism circuit with an investment of Rs 76.50 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the central government.
• Gopalpur, Tampara, Barkul and Satapada are included in the coastal circuit tourism project. Infrastructure and beach development will be the priority in coastal circuit tourism.