Bhubaneswar, Oct. 6 (UDN): The seventh edition of Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) 2026 concluded in Bhubaneswar on Monday, recording more than 9,000 Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) meetings as Odisha stepped up efforts to expand its footprint in the domestic and international tourism market.
Pic Credit: x.com/DDNewsOdia
The three-day tourism event, organised by the Odisha Tourism Department in collaboration with FICCI at MAYFAIR Sanctuary, brought together more than 200 buyers and over 100 tourism businesses from across India and abroad.
The event featured 145 domestic tour operators from 32 cities and 45 international operators representing 27 countries. The interactions provided Odisha-based tourism stakeholders with opportunities to build partnerships, explore new markets and develop business collaborations.
OTB 2026 showcased the state’s diverse tourism offerings, including heritage and spiritual destinations, beaches, wildlife, nature, adventure, tribal culture and culinary experiences.
Focus on Tourism Investment
Investment promotion emerged as a key component of this year’s event. Around 40 leading hospitality brands from across the country and nearly 250 investors from Odisha participated in discussions on opportunities in the state’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
Officials highlighted the state’s tourism policies, investment incentives, land availability, simplified approval processes and investor facilitation mechanisms aimed at encouraging private investment.
Push for MICE Tourism
The event also placed special emphasis on Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Industry representatives and policymakers discussed the infrastructure and policy support required to position Odisha as a preferred destination for major corporate and business events.
The Odisha MICE Incentive Portal was inaugurated during a dedicated roundtable, offering a digital platform for promoting MICE tourism and facilitating applications for eligible incentives.
Culture and Cuisine Take Centre Stage
Odisha’s rich culinary traditions, handicrafts, culture and local experiences were also showcased during the event. Celebrity chef and Odisha’s official brand ambassador for Odia cuisine, Ranveer Brar, participated in the programme.
To give visiting tourism professionals first-hand exposure to the state’s lesser-known attractions, eight familiarisation (FAM) tours were organised before and after the main event.
With thousands of business interactions and participation from stakeholders across multiple markets, OTB 2026 is expected to strengthen tourism linkages, attract fresh investments and further enhance Odisha’s visibility as a diverse tourism destination.
Leave a Reply