The ban imposed on the visit of foreign tourists to the tribal areas has seriously affected tourism industry in Odisha. Not only has it taken away the jobs of tribal youths dependent on their visits to their areas, it has adversely impacted the hotel industry in the state.
The foreign tourists are keeping away from the state since abduction of two Italians by Maoists in March. This has forced the state government to think of relaxation of certain restrictions on the visit of foreign tourists to the tribal pockets of the state.
“The issue is under consideration of the state government following demands from the tour operators,” Tourism and Culture Minister Maheswar Mohanty told this paper. He also admitted that there has been a drastic fall in the inflow of foreign tourists to the state.
This has affected livelihood of the tribals who were dependent on the tourism sector. Many tribals acted as guides for the foreign tourists, he said and added that some even sold their handicrafts to them. But this has completely stopped now, he said, adding that there should be a rethinking on this.
On steps to woo foreign tourists, the minister said, “I’ll urge the chief minister to relax certain restrictions on the visit of foreign tourists to tribal pockets.” While more than 60,722 foreign tourists visited the state during 2011-12, no tourist from abroad has visited the state since March this year mainly due to restriction imposed on visit to tribal pockets. Visit of foreign tourists used to add to the tourism sector in the state by providing employment to hoteliers, tour operators, guides, drivers and above all the tribal people in remote areas.
The minister had convened a meeting of tour operators to discuss on the tourism policy of the state. Booking of rooms in hotels by foreign tourists has also drastically fallen after March. Maoists kidnapped two Italians—Paolo Bosusco and Claudio Colangelo—on March 14 during a trekking expedition on Kandhamal-Ganjam border. As Maoists alleged that foreigners were taking pictures of tribal women and misusing them,
The state government imposed restrictions on movement of tourists, especially foreign tourists, in areas inhabited by tribals.
Tour operators feel restriction on visit of foreign tourists to tribal belts adversely affected the tourist inflow besides threat of Maoists in the area. They want the government to review the situation and make some relaxation.
-Sunday Standard