The tourism sector was one of the worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The biggest losers were the tour operators and hoteliers of Puri, which draws lakhs of tourists every year. Apart from being a major pilgrimage centre with focus invariably on the 12th century shrine of Lord Jagannath, Puri also scores over other tourist spots of the state because of its beautiful beach which is among the cleanest in the country.
But in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Puri became out of bounds for tourists what with the restrictions imposed by the government. This also impacted the famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities, which is one of the biggest attractions of the holy town. The last two years saw this festival taking place without the participation of devotees who, during normal times, throng the Grand Road in the town to pull the chariots carrying the deities. In their absence, the chariots were pulled only by the sevayats (servitors) of the Shree Jagannath Temple and the policemen on duty.
But Rath Yatra sans devotees was like a body without a soul. Thankfully, that phase is now over and the holy town is gearing up for the mega event this time with the full participation of devotees who will come from not only different parts of the country but also abroad. Tour operators and hoteliers are happy with devotees making advance bookings. Media reports suggest that all the hotels and lodgings in Puri have already made 100 percent bookings.
While hospitality players and tour operators are trying to make the most of the opportunity, tourists coming to the holy town are unlikely to confine themselves to Puri. A majority of them are likely to visit nearby tourist spots such as Satapada and Ramchandi. Those with money and time at their disposal could go further up to explore newer places, including some virgin beaches and forests.
All this is good news for the state which has been laying special emphasis on the revival of the tourism sector which happens to be one of the major revenue earners for the government. The government, in fact, has been working hard to showcase not only the temples of Odisha but also its natural beauty. Ethnic tourism has also been one of the priority areas for the government which realizes the importance of showcasing the state’s cultural diversity with focus on its tribes.
However, the state government’s plans of generating more revenue through tourism can be successful only if it makes all its tourist spots easily accessible by road and creates good facilities for the stay of tourists at these places. There are a lot of places of tourist interest in the interior areas where these facilities are lacking. The government must be planning to fix that problem as soon as possible.
Comment here