The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, FEB 8, 2024
The second day of the Odisha Travel Bazaar saw an array of engagements aimed at bolstering the state’s tourism industry. Industry stakeholders convened for roundtable discussions, while business-to-government meetings with investors and structured interactions between 70 District Tourism Officers (DTOs) and over 50 sellers from Odisha took place. Additionally, pre-familiarization trips were arranged for foreign tour operators to Eco Retreat Bhitarkanika and Satkosia.
A notable highlight of the day was a panel discussion titled “Connecting Forces: Public-Private Synergy for Odisha’s Tourism Growth & Success,” which brought together industry leaders. Distinguished participants included Dinesh Chadha, VP of Corporate Affairs & Business Development at IHCL (Taj); Amaresh Tiwari, Managing Director of A.T. Seasons & Vacations Travel Pvt. Ltd; Krishan Singh, COO of Yatra; Sameer Bajaj, SVP & Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications at MakeMyTrip; Birendra Singh, Area Manager Partner Services at Booking.com; Sandeep Roy, CEO of Sea Horse Hospitality Consulting; Siddhartha Kochhar, Development Manager at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Debasish Patanaik, Managing Director of The Crown IHCL SeleQtions; Manoj Kumar Gouda, President and Director of Mayfair Hotels & Resorts; Siddhartha Mohanty, Director of MGM Resorts and MGM Group; Valluri Srinivas, Managing Director of Vikash Eco Resort Pvt Ltd; and Navajyoti Patnaik, Director of Pravat Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.
During the inaugural ceremony, State Tourism Minister Aswini Kumar Patra emphasized Odisha’s diverse tourism offerings and highlighted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s vision, which has spurred unprecedented growth in tourism infrastructure and budget allocation for tourism development in recent years.
Echoing the sentiment, Chief Advisor to CMO Suresh Mohapatra stated, “Odisha as a tourist destination offers world-class infrastructure and a diversified product portfolio suitable for all kinds of travelers. I welcome tourists to explore India’s best-kept secret.”
Odisha Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Lenin Mohanty emphasized Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s focus on developing tourism infrastructure and discussed various heritage corridor development projects underway at Puri, Bhubaneswar, Taptapani, Sambalpur, and other locations.
Tourism Director Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav presented Odisha Tourism’s initiatives for promoting the state to foreign tour operators, showcasing new and innovative products such as Eco Retreats, Boat Clubs, Yachts, Caravans, Camping, and more.
The event also featured a cultural program showcasing Odisha’s performing arts, including Odissi, Chhau, and Sambalpuri folk dance.
A total of 55 foreign tour operators from 16 countries participated in the event, engaging in business-to-business sessions with domestic tour operators and familiarization trips to tourist destinations like Bhubaneswar, Konark, Puri, Bhitarkanika, and Satkosia, setting the stage for enhanced tourism prospects in Odisha.
