BHUBANESWAR: Tourists will now have their first luxury address in Chilika - Swosti Chilika Resort. The new resort was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Odia Alapur in Pathara near Gorapali of Ganjam district on Wednesday.
The latest venture by Swosti Group is not only the first private resort to come up on the banks of the 1100 sq km lagoon but also boasts of being the first Green Building Certified Resort by Indian Green Building Council in the State.
Speaking at the function, Naveen said tourism is a priority area of the State Government. ‘‘Odisha is a visual treat for tourists. From temples to sanctuaries, heritage handlooms to crafts and hot springs to lakes, the State has a lot to offer in tourism,’’ he said.
The Government is developing tourism infrastructure with an aim to increase tourist footfall in Odisha, Naveen said and added that focus is also on local employment generation.
In his address, Tourism Minister Ashok Panda said, the resort is a milestone in the tourism map of Odisha and will help in developing the local area. “The State is blessed with a vast coastline. The Government is pumping huge funds to develop tourism infrastructure and there are plans to open resorts at Barkul and Satapada with an investment of `76 crore,’’ said Panda.
The Minister also announced that two more Panthanivas will come up in Bhadrak and Angul in about three months.
Also attending the function, Kabisuryanagar MLA V Sugnana Kumari Deo said, robust infrastructure is needed to boost the tourism potential of the area. Though there is a lot of potential in the State, it has not been harnessed. The resort will help develop the area, she added. Swosti Group, CMD, JK Mohanty said, the resort will be a game-changer of Odisha tourism. It has been set up keeping in mind the employment of locals and environmental issues,’’ he said and added that there are plans to open resorts at Bhitarkanika and Satapada.
Swosti Chilika Resort will provide high-end facilities for both domestic and international tourists visiting the State. It boasts of a sprawling landscape with 78 cottages consisting of 36 luxury villas (Mid-Lake County), as many ultra modern luxury suites (Windchime), five pool villas (Millpond) and one presidential suite (The Sanctuary).
Other amenities include a spa, huge open air amphitheatre with a lawn, three air-conditioned banquet halls of 3100 sq ft, 360 sq ft and 380 sq ft respectively, a coffee shop, multi-cuisine restaurant, game zone and a kid zone.
Among others, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Surya Narayan Patro, Planning and Coordination Minister Usha Devi, Khallikote MLA PC Sethy and Ganjam Collector Prem Chandra Chaudhary were present.