The Orissa Government is busy preparing a tourism policy, Tourism Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said while speaking at a consultation meeting on the Tourism Policy 2009 which is in its draft stage.

While there is thrust on drawing more investment, incentives will play a key role. The idea is make tourism sector globally competitive, Mishra said. Also the emphasis would be to get more transport and air trip operators to invest more and more in the sector.

Sectors like eco tourism, tribal tourism, dance culture, handicrafts as well as cottage industries would get adequate attention in the new policy which is aiming at increasing public-private-partnerships.

Employment will be another thrust area. The Government wishes to draw 80,000 international and 10 million domestic visitors by 2012 by which time 90,000 persons would be employed in the sector – directly and indirectly. The Tourism Department will also hold another consultation meeting with line departments which would have a stake in the policy.