Odisha's beaches turning wedding destinations but still lack scale and pull

ALTHOUGH Odisha's beaches - Puri in particular - are gaining popularity for destination weddings, the trend has not been able to add much to the state's tourism potential.

- DIANA SAHU @ Bhubaneswar

With a mesmerising backdrop of the clear sea and pristine beaches, Puri, Gopalpur and Konark along with Chilika lake have begun to gradually take place among preferred wedding destinations in the country. However, they have not been able to pitch themselves as high-end wedding destinations to attract the niche national and global clientele seeking exotic experiences.

"This despite the fact that hosting a destination wedding in the state is five times cheaper than that in places like Jaipur, Benaras or Haridwar," said chairman of hotel and restaurants association (HRAO) of Odisha JK Mohanty.