In projecting Odisha’s Buddhist heritage sites as destinations for foreign trekkers, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called on Japanese tour operators to collaborate with the state, according to an official published on Saturday. In Japan, a large number of people are Buddhists. Patnaik, while attending an assembly in Kyoto, Japan, highlighted Odisha’s immense prospects as a trekking destination, with a specific focus on the state’s Buddhist heritage sites at Dhauli, Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri. During the discussion, he also talked about the various projects. carried out through the Government of Odisha to publicize hiking and improve the state’s hiking infrastructure. Representatives of Japan’s hiking and hospitality sector have expressed interest in exploring opportunities for collaboration with Odisha, given the state’s unique cultural heritage and herbal beauty, he said. Odisha Industries, Hemant Sharma, gave a detailed presentation on the hiking sector in Odisha. Odisha’s chief minister is touring Japan in search of investment.
