Odisha's Foreign Tourist Arrivals Nearly Double in 2024, Yet National Share Remains Modest
Foreign tourist arrivals in Odisha have shown a remarkable surge, nearly doubling from 45,273 in 2023 to 87,854 in 2024. However, despite this significant growth, the state accounted for just 0.42% of the total foreign tourist visits to India last year. This information was presented by Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Historical Context and Pandemic Impact
Minister Shekhawat provided a detailed historical perspective on Odisha's foreign tourist footfall. The state received 22,121 foreign tourists in 2022, a sharp increase from the pandemic-affected years of 2021 and 2020, which saw only 2,269 and 10,206 visitors respectively. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted global travel patterns, Odisha welcomed 1.15 lakh foreign tourists in 2019.
Coastal States and Union Territories Comparison
In response to a question posed by Tangella Srinivas regarding foreign tourist footfall across coastal states and union territories, Shekhawat revealed comprehensive data for 2024. Maharashtra emerged as the top destination, attracting 3.7 million foreign tourists, which constitutes 17.69% of the national total. West Bengal followed closely with 3.12 million visitors (14.92%), and Gujarat secured the third position with 2.27 million tourists (10.86%).
Other coastal states recorded significantly lower numbers:
- Tamil Nadu: 11.61 lakh foreign tourists (5.55%)
- Kerala: 7.38 lakh foreign tourists (3.53%)
- Karnataka: 4.85 lakh foreign tourists (2.32%)
- Goa: 4.67 lakh foreign tourists (2.23%)
- Andhra Pradesh: 2.62 lakh foreign tourists (1.25%)
Among the union territories, Puducherry led with 17,819 foreign tourists, followed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands with 11,497 visitors. Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu collectively recorded 2,626 foreign tourists, while Lakshadweep saw the lowest number with just 898 foreign visitors.
Government Initiatives and Support Schemes
The minister emphasized that the central government actively supports coastal and beach tourism through various schemes. These include Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, and the Challenge-Based Destination Development program. These initiatives provide financial assistance to states and union territories for developing tourism infrastructure, based on approved project proposals.
Additionally, projects have been sanctioned under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. This scheme aims to develop iconic tourist destinations and promote them on a global scale, enhancing India's overall tourism appeal.
Clarification on Coastal Tourism Policy
Shekhawat clarified that while feasibility studies are routinely conducted for projects under these schemes, there is currently no proposal for a separate nationwide policy exclusively dedicated to coastal tourism development. This statement underscores the government's integrated approach to tourism promotion, rather than sector-specific policies.
The data highlights both the progress and challenges in Odisha's tourism sector, with significant year-on-year growth yet a relatively small share in the national landscape. The government's continued support through various schemes aims to bolster infrastructure and attract more international visitors to coastal regions across India.
