India's Odisha State Expects Tourism Boost From AirAsia Link

From Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- India's Odisha state expects a big boost to its tourism sector after AirAsia Bhd's planned flight between its capital, Bhubaneswar, and Kuala Lumpur is launched. Odisha officials said in comments published in the media that they hoped to promote the eastern state's attractions to South-East Asian tourists. "A specific policy will be made for promoting tour packages to South-East Asia in collaboration with AirAsia," State Tourism Secretary, Arati Ahuja, was quoted as saying Tuesday. AirAsia Chief Executive Officer, Aireen Omar, and Odisha's Tourism Department Director, Nitin Bhanudas Jawale, signed an agreement on Feb 17 for the Kuala Lumpur-Bhubaneswar flight. "AirAsia's engagement is important for Odisha. This pact marks the culmination of our efforts and very soon, we will be starting international flights,” Jawale said, adding that there would two to three flights per week and the state government would offer subsidy in the form of a viability gap funding. Bhubaneswar's airport received an upgrade more than three years ago, allowing it to have international flights. The AirAsia flight, likely to be launched in April, will be its first direct international service. The state is rich in attractions like nature parks, temples, and beaches, but its foreign tourist arrivals were only about 67,000 until November in 2016. -- BERNAMA