Sambalpur, Nov. 23: A drastic fall in the number of foreign tourists at the district's travel destinations has raised question marks over its impact on the economy.

Though the number of tourists to the district's seven tourist destinations has increased with each passing year, there has been a sharp decline in the footfall of tourists from abroad in that same period. The district has seven identified tourist destinations - Sambalpur, Hirakud, Ushakothi, Huma, Chiplima, Gudguda and Kandhara. Data compiled by the tourism department shows there has been a constant fall in the number of foreign visitors to these places over the past three years.

According to the data, while 374 foreign tourists visited Sambalpur in 2013, the number fell to 316 in 2014 and 213 in 2015. Similarly, 130 foreign tourists visited Hirakud in 2013. However, the inflow of foreign tourists declined to 93 in 2014 and 76 in 2015.

Another popular tourist destination in the district is the leaning temple of Huma, which attracted 68 foreign tourists in 2013, 67 in 2014 and 56 in 2015. Similarly, 86 foreign tourists visited Chiplima in 2013, before going down to 44 in 2014 and 32 in 2015.

The other two tourist destinations - Gudguda and Kandhara - also failed to attract foreigners during the past three years. However, there has been a constant increase in the domestic tourist footfall to all seven destinations in the past three years.

"The district's seven tourist destinations have potential to attract foreign visitors. But the lack of publicity means very few foreigners visit these places," said travel agency owner Gopinath Pruseth.

"Absence of adequate amenities at the tourist destinations is also a reason behind the decline in the number of foreign tourists. These places do not have facilities to accommodate the tourists. Some destinations also lack good connectivity. If these amenities were improved, the destinations will certainly attract guests from abroad," said tour operator Hansraj Bohidar.

District tourist officer Rabindra Kumar Dalei, however, said: "The foreign tourists generally visit the state's tribal areas. The tourists who come to the Koraput , visit the tourist destinations in Sambalpur district. However, the number of foreign tourists to Koraput has decreased remarkably, which has caused the inflow of foreign tourists to Sambalpur district to decline."