Odisha takes tourism to the next level – launches ‘Garuda’, the luxury houseboat for tourists in Chilika lake

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<strong>In an attempt to make the State’s well-known Chilika Lake a preferred destination of international and national tourists, Odisha’s Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik virtually launched the first luxury houseboat for the lake.</strong></p>
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The houseboat has been christened as “Garuda” and has been pressed into service by Vikas Eco Resorts at an investment of Rs.3 crore.</p>
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|Announcement 📢|<br />
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Odisha's 1st luxury houseboat 'Garuda' to be operated by Vikash Eco Resorts at Barkul, Chilika is all set to float. The new facility has been inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in presence of Tourism Minister Shri Aswini Kumar Patra.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OdishaTourism?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OdishaTourism</a> <a href="https://t.co/TSZbdSQX5y">pic.twitter.com/TSZbdSQX5y</a></p>
— Odisha Tourism (@odisha_tourism) <a href="https://twitter.com/odisha_tourism/status/1534774319598841857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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To start with, the houseboat can be initially booked from the Panthanivas at Barkul and later introduced at Satapada. The boat has two suites and four premium rooms and a bar-restaurant. Besides that there is an open-air lobby on the upper deck for meetings and conferences. For entertaining the children, there is a small swimming pool for them.</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://www.indianarrative.com/upload/news/Garuda2.jfif" style="width: 720px; height: 480px;" /></p>
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The packages for the houseboat include overnight stay along with full board meals, activities and cruise covering different islands in Chilika.</p>
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In his video message during the launch of the houseboat, Patnaik said that the initiative will improve the profile of the Chilika lake and attract tourists from all over. He added that Chilika lake is a major biodiversity hotspot in the country and has potential to transform Odisha as an attractive tourist destination. “My government is keen to develop Odisha as a major ecotourism destination of the country,” he said.</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://www.indianarrative.com/upload/news/Garuda3.jfif" style="width: 720px; height: 480px;" /></p>