Odisha is positioning itself to play a leading role in India’s tourism and hospitality growth, with a strong focus on attracting global visitors, promoting local entrepreneurship and creating employment opportunities for the youth, says Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha.
Parida said this while addressing the media to announce the schedule of the 7th edition of Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) in Bhubaneshwar from October 3 to 5.
Organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the three-day B2B tourism marketplace will bring together more than 92 private company exhibitors, foreign tour operators from 27 countries and domestic buyers from 32 cities. The event is expected to facilitate more than 6,000 pre-scheduled business meetings.
Speaking at the press conference, Parida said Odisha was pursuing an ambitious tourism strategy aimed at generating direct economic benefits for local communities while strengthening the state’s position on the global tourism map.
“Our tagline is ‘Think India, Think Odisha.’ If anyone in the world wishes to invest in India or explore India, they must think of Odisha first. Through our progressive policies in adventure tourism, homestays and hospitality, Odisha is advancing on a war footing to drive the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision,” she said.
She said Odisha Travel Bazaar would go beyond promoting tourism destinations and would also act as a platform for learning, skill development, career opportunities, entrepreneurship and investment for the youth of Odisha.
“Odisha Travel Bazaar will serve as a learning and training platform for our youth, acting not just as a tool for bringing visitors, but as a direct vehicle for career opportunities, entrepreneurship, investment and local economic development for Odia youth in their own regions,” the Deputy Chief Minister added.
Highlighting the inclusive approach of the state’s tourism policy, Parida said the economic benefits generated by tourism should reach communities and small businesses across Odisha rather than remain limited to hotels and resorts.
“We do not want the benefits of tourism to remain confined to hotels and resorts alone; the gains must extend directly to tour guides, drivers, local artisans, homestay operators, small entrepreneurs and service providers to build an economically vibrant and socially inclusive ecosystem,” she said.
She further emphasised the importance of creating memorable experiences for tourists through Odisha’s culture, traditions and local communities.
“Tourists may forget room numbers or taxi numbers, but they never forget the experience they carry back with them,” she said.
The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, will inaugurate the three-day travel mart.
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