Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Ganjam district has immense potential for tourism development and investment, Tourism Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Balwant Singh said at a tourism investors’ summit held at Chhatrapur on Friday.

The summit was organised to promote the tourism industry in Ganjam and encourage private investment in the district. Discussions focused on developing key tourist destinations, including Gopalpur, Sonapur, the Rushikulya river mouth, Rambha-Barakul along Chilika Lake, Taratarini and Bhairabi.

Investment opportunities in beachside accommodation, hotels, homestays, nature tourism and adventure tourism were also highlighted at the meeting.

Addressing the gathering, Singh said Odisha had enormous potential for tourism development. Ganjam, with its hills, coastline, religious sites and rich cultural heritage, could emerge as an attractive destination for tourism investment, he added.

He stressed the need to utilise the district’s natural and cultural resources to strengthen the state’s tourism infrastructure. He also urged domestic and international investors to consider Odisha, particularly Ganjam, as a preferred destination for tourism-related investments.

Ganjam Collector V. Keerthi Vasan invited investors to establish tourism projects in the district, assuring them of continued support from the district administration.

He said the administration has been extending assistance in identifying land under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, facilitating single-window clearances, providing policy support and developing the necessary infrastructure. Such assistance would continue to help investors set up tourism projects in Ganjam, he added.

“The doors of Ganjam district are always open to investors,” the Collector said.

The summit brought together representatives of the tourism department, district administration, hotel owners, tourism entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs and officials from various departments to explore opportunities for tourism-led development.

Among those present 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.

The participants exchanged views on the establishment of tourism projects and explored possible investment opportunities across the district. District Tourism Development Officer Janak Kumar Tarai delivered the vote of thanks.