Ganjam Emerges as Tourism Investment Hotspot as Odisha Woos Private Players

The Odisha government is looking to unlock Ganjam district’s tourism potential by attracting private investors and promoting the development of new tourism infrastructure across the region.

Tourism Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Balwant Singh highlighted the district’s investment prospects during a tourism investors’ summit held in Chhatrapur. He said Ganjam’s diverse landscape, coastal attractions, religious landmarks and cultural heritage offered significant opportunities for tourism-led growth.

The summit explored development prospects at several prominent destinations, including Gopalpur, Sonapur, the Rushikulya river mouth, Rambha-Barakul on the banks of Chilika Lake, Taratarini and Bhairabi. Participants discussed investment possibilities in hotels, beachside resorts, homestays, nature-based experiences and adventure tourism.

Singh called for greater participation from domestic and international investors to strengthen Odisha’s tourism sector. He emphasised that effectively harnessing Ganjam’s natural beauty and cultural assets could help establish the district as a major tourism destination while improving the state’s tourism infrastructure.

Ganjam Collector V. Keerthi Vasan also appealed to investors to take advantage of the district’s emerging opportunities and establish tourism-related ventures. He assured prospective investors that the district administration would extend the necessary assistance to facilitate projects.

According to the Collector, support is being provided through the identification of suitable land under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, single-window clearance mechanisms, policy assistance and infrastructure development. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to creating a favourable environment for tourism investments, stating that Ganjam remained open to investors.

The summit served as a platform for government officials, hotel operators, tourism professionals and entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for expanding tourism activities and identifying viable projects across the district.

Among the officials attending the meeting were Tourism Department Joint Secretary Binod Jena, Zilla Parishad Chief Development Officer Sameer Kumar Jena, Berhampur Sub-Collector Abinash Kumar, Chhatrapur Sub-Collector Shibashish Baral and Bhanjanagar Sub-Collector Umashankar Behera.

Participants shared their suggestions on developing tourist destinations and expanding private-sector involvement in the district’s tourism industry. District Tourism Development Officer Janak Kumar Tarai delivered the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the summit.