Project Name -  Ecotour Odisha
Client: Govt of Odisha
Website: www.ecotourodisha.com

1. Introduction

The ODISHA Government Ecotourism Portal is a full-featured online platform launched to streamline sustainable tourism by integrating advanced booking systems for accommodations, entry tickets, Picnic spot booking, boat booking and jungle safaris booking.

This case study explores the eco-tour portal’s development, focusing on its multi-functional booking ecosystem, challenges faced, and its impact on promoting responsible tourism in Odisha.

 

2. Background

Odisha's ecotourism model, launched in 2016, Prioritizes community engagement in managing nature tourism. This concept of ecotourism has not only supported conservation efforts but also provided alternative source of income for Communities living in or near forests.

3. Objectives

  Provide a full-service platform highlights the broad range of ecotourism services for booking eco-friendly accommodations, entry tickets, safaris, boat booking and local.

  Promote transparency in pricing and availability of ecotourism services, focuses on quality and ease of accesses.

  Empower Local Communities: Make sure that a large share of the revenue generated benefits the local forest communities, aligning with Odisha's local communities in managing and benefiting from nature based tourism, with a focus on sustainable practices.

  Promote Sustainable Tourism: Develop a portal that encourages responsible travel practices with the involvement of local communities, while highlighting Odisha's unique natural and cultural attractions.

  Integrate Booking Services: Offer a smooth and effortless booking experience for accommodations, entry tickets, boat rides, jungle safaris, and picnic spots. Educate tourists on sustainable practices via the portal.

4. Features of the Ecotour Odisha Portal

      
  Accommodation Booking

  Entry Ticket Booking

  Boat Booking

  Jungle Safari Booking

  Picnic Spot Booking

  B2B booking options (Travel agents can book from ecotour portal on behalf of their customers. Travel agents require to register with ecotour Odisha)

  Taxi operators (Taxi operators can get associated with ecotour odisha by getting them registered. Taxi operators can display their agency details with contact addresses)

5. Technical Requirements:

    Responsive Design: Ensure the portal is fully responsive and accessible on various devices.

    Booking Engine Development: Accommodation booking engine, entry ticket booking engine, Jungle safari booking engine and boat booking engines are developed as per the requirement of Ecotour Odisha and successfully integrated to the portal

    Entry Ticket Mobile App Development: Currently the mobile app has been used in Jayadev Vatika national park for entry ticket booking.  

    Secure Payment Gateway: Secure payment systems are integrated to  facilitate safe transactions.

    API Integration: Multiple  APIs are integrated to the ecotourism booking systems.

    Advanced Search Filters: Implemented filters for location, date, and activity type to improve user experience.

    POS Machine Integration: POS machine integrated to the system for instant ticket generation.
 

6. Technology Stack

    Database:  Mysql

    Frontend: PHP 8.2

    Backend: PHP 8.2

    API Integration: SMS, Banking, Payment Gateway, POS machine
 

7. Development Process

7.1 Requirement Gathering

As promoting ecotourism was new to Odisha, so we went through an extensive requirement gathering phase as mentioned bellow:

    Conducted surveys to identify traveler pain points: lack of real-time booking, unreliable operators, and limited eco-certified options.

    Partnered with State Forest Department corporation, Hoteliers and Tour operators  to curate verified services.

   Content Strategy: Content management system to Provide content  to cater to information about various ecotour destinations in Odisha with images and videos to attract travelers from all over the world.

   Analyzed to provide online booking systems like accommodation booking, Entry ticket booking, Jungle safari booking and boat booking.

   During requirement gathering phase we realized that tour and taxi operators are  highly essential to get associated with Odisha ecotourism. So we provided two options within the ecotourism portal:

               Agent Module: Agents can get registered with ecotourism portal and they can book ecotourist destinations from the agent back-end

              Taxi Operators:  Taxi operators can get enlisted within the portal

7.2  Feature Design, Development & API Integration

    Unified Booking Engine: We created robust booking system with following booking options:

    Accommodation Booking Engine: For booking of eco-certified night stays (e.g., jungle lodges, homestays).

    Entry Tickets booking Engine: Pre-book timed entries for national parks and heritage sites to prevent overcrowding.

    Entry Ticket booking mobile app development: To make the entry ticket booking option easy, we created a mobile app for entry tickets in various gates of Jaydev vatika.  

    Boat Booking: Reserved slots for mangrove tours, backwaters, and wetland explorations.
    

    Jungle Safari Booking Engine: Real-time availability for jeep safaris in tiger reserves (e.g., Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh).
    

    Back-end System For Agent Booking and commissions : Agents can get registered with ecotour Odisha and book tickets for their customers through Odisha ecotourism portal.
   

   Association with Taxi  operators:  Taxi operators can get associated with ecotour portal and display information about their agencies, contact number, website and email.
    

   Pindi Booking for Picnic in National Park -  This option is available for only one national park name Jayadev Vatika. This national park is situated in Bhbaneswar, Odisha.
    

   Fully Dynamic Content management system - Every page and all the options within ecotour Odisha portal along with  content and images of all destinations can be manage dynamically through robust and easy to use content management system.
   

   Payment Gateway Integration: Multiple payment gateways are integrated to the Odisha Eco-tour Portal
    

   SMS Gateway Integration:  For Proper SMS communication, SMS gateways are integrated to this portal.

7.3.  Testing and Quality Assurance

Functional, Performance, and Security Testing:

We Performed thorough testing procedures to confirm system functionality, measure performance under different conditions, and determine vulnerabilities to make sure its conformity with technical requirements and security measures.

 User Acceptance Testing (UAT):

This phase of testing Involved end-users and ecotour officers in real-world scenario testing to ensure alignment with actual scenario of business requirements and usability confirmation. implemented actionable feedback into improvement of system functionality and user experience.

8. Development Methodology

The development of the Ecotour Odisha Portal has been developped by adopting Agile methodology for a flexible and iterative project management approach. Some of the key elements of this methodology were as mentioned below:

9. Iterative Development:

The project ecotourism consists of multiple iterations or sprint planning that allow continuous feedback and improvements through scrum master. This approach enabled the team to adapt to changing of requirements and accept user feedback throughout the project development process.

10. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Agile focused on collaboration among the stakeholders, including government departments, agencies, local communities and technical experts. To make the project successful, we came across regular meetings and workshops with the people who might be using it so that all could be connected to the target goals and contribute their views and recommendations.

11. User-Centric Design:

A lot of focuss was given on user experience, with regular testing sessions being held to obtain feedback from prospective users. The purpose of this user centric design was to make the portal for better user experience and visitors engagement so as to meet the needs of local tourists, stakeholders and international tourists.

12. Rapid Prototyping:

The Agile approach made it easy to create prototypes quickly, which would be tested and improved on the basis of how they interacted with users. This interactive and rapid prototyping helped identifying issues on the early stage of development process, minimizing the risk of costly changes and avoid delay in development progress.

13. Continuous Improvement:

At the end of each sprint, the team conducted retrospective session to analyze what went well and what could be done for betterment.This aspect of ongoing improvements created innovation and efficiency in the life cycle of the project.

By implementing Agile methodology, the ecotour portal development team has facilitated the development of an active and responsive portal that can effeciently address the requirement of ecotourism in Odisha,  while incorporating good sustainable tourism practices.

14. Measures Taken To Ensure The Security Of The Odisha Ecotourism Portal ?

In order to make Ecotour Odisha portal secure, various steps were taken focusing mainly on data safety, operational transparency, and environmental friendly practices. The following will highlight some of the major initiatives:

14.1 Privacy and Data Security:

The Portal never store personal details unless until voluntarily furnished by users them selves. Any information collected to be used only for its intended purpose and will not be shared with any outside party, unless required by law.

Strong security features exist to safeguard confidential information, including credit card information, during web-based transactions. Care and prudence are recommended when dealing with third-party services connected via the portal.

14.2. Operational Safeguards:

Odisha Forest Development Corporation Limited (OFDC) and its development partner Orisys Infotech confirm the genuineness of information on the portal. Disclaimers, though, make it clear that they cannot be held liable for third-party services or breakdowns relating to external providers.

Updating privacy policies and terms of service on a regular basis is encouraged in order to ensure transparency and keeping up with changing security need.

15. Technological challenges

15.1. Integration of Interactive booking engines:

Key challenges were faced in understanding the requirement, development of customize booking engines and integrating to the newly developed portal by keeping their business logic intact with legacy systems. As it was a complete dynamic and interactive system, which made it difficult to integrate processes and utilize the data efficiently.

 Any transition from a concept to a modern digital solution carried forward the risk of disrupting core business functions and thus were to be planned for a smooth portal with interactive booking engines for hassle free operations operations.

15.2. API Integration Complexities:

The integration of different Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) was a significant challenge. Proper API integration requires an overall design of internal system, data management and communication standards.

 Therefore, such complexity required a lot of planning and working together across departments to ensure that all systems communicated efficiently.

15.3. Security Risks:

With the introduction of new technology, security threats became an issue. Protecting the data of users from breaches  during the integration of different third-party services increased the complexity of the development process.

There was a requirement for strong security in order to secure sensitive information and maintain trust among users.

15.4. User Experience Challenges:

Creating an easy-to-use interface with the incorporation of several needs and views of travelers was challenging and required thorough planning. Finding a balance between functionality and usability was necessarily needed thorough testing and user-feedback, so as to certify that the portal was accessible, simple and easy to use for everyone, even those who were not technologically savvy.

15.5. Resource Constraints:

The project required skilled professionals to work on different aspects and complexities of software development and integration, which was difficult due to the very competitive market for tech talent.

These challenges once again pointed out the necessity of proper planning, collaboration among different stakeholders, and securing user experience during the development of the Ecotour Odisha Portal.

16. Lesson Learned

While developing the "Ecotour Odisha Portal", Orisys Infotech learnt few very important things. This knowledge may cluster around several points of interest:

16.1. Importance of Community Engagement:

The success of ecotourism projects was dependent on the involvement of local communities. Orisys Infotech realized that engaging local stakeholders not only creates a sense of ownership but also enriches the authenticity of the tourism experience.

To enhance the quality of service, programs to train community people in businesses like hospitality and service management were also a necessity for the sustainability of the sector.

16.2. Increased Focus on Technology Integration:

An online booking system was implemented, which improved user experience and operational efficiency, both reflecting the importance of technology.

Its unique data-provisioning ability regarding ecotourism destinations, such as travel plans and route maps, helped the portal gain momentum in drawing tourists and making logistics hassle-free.

16.3. Sustainable Practices:

The project highlighted the need to promote a sustainable tourism model that fits with the conservation of nature. Not only did Orisys Infotech realize the fact that ecotourism serves to attract visitors, but that it also acts as a source of information for the wild resources, local biodiversity, and the local ecosystem by making sure that tourism-related activities did not interfere with local ecosystems.

16.4. Revenue Generation and Economic Impact:

Ecotourism was financially successful, showing that responsible tourism has a lot of revenue potential. Effective marketing strategies that promote Odisha’s unique assets, such as its beaches, tribal culture, biodiversity, etc. could attract a diverse pool of tourists (national & international), benefiting the local economies.

16.5. Continuous Improvement and Adaptation:

The entire project required constant evaluation and modification. Orisys Infotech understood that timely feedback from the tourists and the stakeholders is very critical to avoid areas of correction and ensure relevancy and user friendliness of the portal.

such learning provided Orisys Infotech Pvt. Ltd. with insights to enhance the future of ecotourism and other sectors through community involvement, technology integration, sustainability, economic prosperity, and adaptability.

17. Outcomes and Benefits

The Development of Ecotour Odisha Portal has provided a number of important outcomes and advantages for both the tourism sector and the local economy of Odisha.Some of the major achievements are discussed as mentioned below:

17.1. Increase In Tourist :

The portal resulted in a dramatic increase in tourist arrivals. The fourfold rise demonstrates how effective the portal has been in alluring visitors to ecotourism locations across the state.

17.2. Revenue Generation:

Income obtained from ecotourism activities grew exponentially, and many ecotourism sites were regularly recorded to experience considerable increases in annual income over years , where they have successfully contributed to local economy, serving as a source of income for all forest-associated communities.

17.3. Community Empowerment:

Through community-managed ecotourism, the initiative has helped households with alternative livelihoods. This model not only promoted economic conditions in these areas, however; it also cultivated local interest in conservation, ensuring that those who lived in local forest community will get benefited directly from these tourism activities.

17.4. Sustainable Practices:

The portal encourages responsible tourism that minimizes environmental impact while enhancing greater social and cultural consciousness among travelers. This initiative provides support for conservation efforts and encourages sustainable practices among locals and visitors alike by adhering to the principles of ecotourism.

17.5. Infrastructure Development:

There was a huge investment to develop infrastructure at ecotourism spots too — in the form of accommodation and recreation facilities (trekking routes, boating services and nature camps). This development in Facilities has enriched the overall tourist experience and helped Odisha become a more inviting destination for ecotourists.

17.6. Online Booking System:

The implementation of an online booking system has simplified booking process for tourists using easy online reservation process, and this also facilitates planning visits or gaining information about the ecotour destinations. This has not only improved a business efficiency but also resulting greater customer satisfaction ratio.

17.7. Awareness and Promotion:

The portal would act as a repository of information showcasing Odisha's natural beauty and biodiversity through videos, photographs and textual descriptions of various destinations. This marketing campaign has been at the forefront of showcasing Odisha as a leading ecoturism destination both nationally and internationally.

These outcomes collectively highlight the transformative impact of the Ecotour Odisha Portal on tourism development, community livelihoods, and environmental conservation in the region.

Conclusuion:

The Odisha Ecotourism Portal is a great example of how technology can be used for the balance of tourism growth and sustainability. Combining conservation, community empowerment, and digital innovation, Odisha has created a model of responsible tourism development. This model further reinforces the position of the state as “India’s best-kept secret” and serves as a inspirational  model for other states, who wish to accomplish similar objectives in the realm of ecotourism.