7th Odisha Travel Bazaar -Odisha Opens New Chapter in Tourism Growth
CM Mohan Charan Majhi invites global investors to participate in Odisha’s tourism growth story; new tourism website and investment portal launched
Focus shifts from sightseeing to experiential tourism, says Deputy CM Pravati Parida
145 domestic and 45 international tour operators from 27 countries participate in three-day event
Bhubaneswar, October 4, 2026: Odisha is stepping up its tourism ambitions with a stronger focus on investment, experiential travel, digital transformation and community-led tourism. The Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), inaugurated the 7th edition of the Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) 2026 at Mayfair Sanctuary, Bhubaneswar.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who inaugurated the three-day flagship event as Chief Guest, called upon investors and hospitality companies from India and across the world to explore opportunities in Odisha and partner in the state’s tourism growth journey.
OTB 2026 brings together domestic and international tour operators, hospitality companies, investors, tourism stakeholders and industry leaders, with B2B and B2G meetings, buyer-seller interactions and investment discussions forming the core of the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi described Odisha as a state with immense potential to emerge as one of India’s leading tourism destinations. He said the state is moving beyond conventional tourism development towards building an investor-friendly and world-class tourism ecosystem.
The Chief Minister highlighted Odisha’s rich tourism offering, spanning thousands of years of civilisation, artistic traditions, pristine beaches, forests, tribal culture and globally recognised biodiversity. Destinations such as Bhitarkanika and Chilika were highlighted as important components of the state’s tourism identity.
He said tourism will play an important role in the state’s Viksit Odisha Vision 2036–2047, with the sector expected to contribute to sustainable economic growth, employment generation and the preservation of Odisha’s cultural heritage.
As part of this vision, the state is preparing comprehensive master plans for 15 marquee tourism destinations, with the objective of developing them into globally competitive destinations.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy 2026, aimed at facilitating greater investment in tourism infrastructure. Under the amended policy, the minimum room requirement for star-category hotels has been reduced from 50 rooms to 10 rooms, enabling smaller and specialised hospitality projects to access incentives.
The capital subsidy ceiling has been increased to ₹120 crore, while museums and heritage properties can receive subsidies of up to 40 per cent. Electric boats, electric caravans and art and craft complexes are eligible for capital subsidies of up to 50 per cent.
The state has also approved a dedicated scheme for acquiring 5,500 acres of land bank for hospitality infrastructure, backed by an investment of ₹1,500 crore. According to the Tourism Department, capital subsidies exceeding ₹163 crore have already been disbursed to support tourism-related investments.
Inviting global stakeholders to participate in Odisha’s tourism growth story, the Chief Minister said, “My State deserves more than any other State,” while urging investors to invest, partner and grow with Odisha.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who attended the event as Guest of Honour, emphasised the need to move beyond conventional sightseeing towards holistic and experiential tourism.
She said Odisha offers travellers an integrated experience combining spiritual heritage, forests, tribal traditions, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine and the warmth of local communities. Under the identity “Think India, Think Odisha,” the state is seeking to position tourism as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, employment and livelihood creation.
The Deputy Chief Minister stressed that tourism growth must benefit local communities by creating opportunities for women, artisans, drivers, guides and small food entrepreneurs. She also highlighted the role of local participation in developing a sustainable tourism ecosystem.
Odia cuisine was highlighted as another avenue for connecting travellers with the destination. The book “Pitha, Mitha & Pana” was launched during the event in the presence of celebrity chef and Cuisine Brand Ambassador Ranveer Brar.
The event also marked a step forward in Odisha’s digital tourism ecosystem, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launching the new Odisha Tourism website and the Odisha Tourism Investment Incentive Management System Web Application. The platforms are aimed at making tourism information more accessible and streamlining access to incentives and support available under the state’s tourism policies.
The growing intersection of sports and tourism was another highlight of OTB 2026. The jersey and medal for the upcoming OMC Puri Coastal Marathon were unveiled in the presence of cricket legend and Padma Bhushan awardee Kapil Dev.
The inaugural ceremony also featured the felicitation of sports achievers, including Kapil Dev, India’s first ODI World Cup-winning captain, and national record-holding Asian Games pole vaulter Baranica Elangovan. A video showcase of the upcoming Puri Coastal Marathon was followed by presentations on the design stories behind its official merchandise and the formal unveiling of its jerseys and finisher medals.
Welcoming the participants, Balwant Singh, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, outlined the scale and objectives of OTB 2026.
He said the Odisha Travel Bazaar is designed to connect those who create tourism experiences with stakeholders who market, sell, support and invest in them. This year, the event has expanded beyond traditional buyer-seller meetings to include a wider range of business and investment interactions.
The 2026 edition has brought together 145 domestic tour operators from 32 cities and 45 international tour operators from 27 countries, along with more than 100 local Tourism Service Providers.
More than 6,000 structured B2B and B2G meetings have been scheduled during the event. A dedicated Investors Session is also bringing together around 40 leading national hospitality brands and 250 state investors to explore tourism and hospitality investment opportunities in Odisha.
With its focus on investment, experiential tourism, digital transformation, sports tourism and local participation, OTB 2026 signals Odisha’s intent to build a tourism ecosystem that is globally competitive while remaining rooted in its culture, communities and natural heritage.
