Odisha – Soul of Incredible India

The 5th Odisha Tourism Conclave was organised by Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha, in association with Tourism Department, Government of Odisha and World Trade Center Bhubaneswar on 23 February 2023. The event organised on the theme ‘Redefining The Soul of Incredible India’ showcases the state as a major tourist destination.

Nisha Verma

The day-long conclave organised at Hotel Swosti Premium, Bhubaneswar, aimed to promote Odisha’s tourism sector and showcase the state as a major destination centre.

Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Odisha, inaugurated the event virtually in the presence of other esteemed dignitaries. “To enable more development friendly strategies, the Odisha Tourism Policy 2023 was released during MIO (Make in Odisha) with continuously working on integrated tourism development based on 15-destination masterplan to develop diverse tourism platforms in the state. Apart from sustainable infrastructure development, we are branding Odisha as a diverse tourism hub. The Government of Odisha is committed towards sustainable tourism sector with much focus on augmentation of livelihood of the local communities,” he said.

The event had technical sessions to address the challenges in the sector and to accelerate tourism in the state. The panelists touched upon many crucial topics. The attendees included tour operators, decision makers, industry members, hoteliers, travel agents, civil aviation authorities and government officials. The Chief Guest of the program was Sujeet Kumar, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, who deliberated on various factors. He said that there is a need to focus on 41 heritage sites of our country to compete with countries like Singapore and other South-East Asian countries in terms of inbound tourism. “Improve infrastructure, hygiene, sanitation issues in the state. Proactive measures should be taken for optimal budget allocation for tourism industry to address post-pandemic effects on the sector,” he said. Surendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, highlighted that it was important to identify major selling points and unique amenities of the state. “Steps must be taken to hold tourists for longer duration in Odisha. Middle class huge market capitalisation to be initiated in domestic tourism. Quality and experience is crucial for every tourist visiting Odisha regarding accommodation and tour operation. Need for development of Deomali, Konark and Bhitarkanika on priority basis. Pilgrim tourism and weekend tourism to be incorporated in the strategic planning to enhance tourism in the state,” he said.

J.K. Mohanty, Chairman, HRAO; Chairman, IATO Eastern Region; Co-Chairman, FICCI Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Committee ; Convenor, WTC Bhubaneswar Tourism & Hospitality Think Tank & CMD, Swosti Group of Hotels delivered the welcome address. He said, “At least two destinations from Odisha must be on the GoI list of Dekho Apna Desh 2.0 where 51 destinations from India will be developed as major tourist destinations in the country. At least one G-20 meet related to tourism sector should happen in Odisha. One luxury train like Deccan Queen & Maharajah Express to be introduced in Odisha from Kolkata as there is shortage of trains on this route. To accelerate Buddhist Tourism in the state, develop basic infrastructure in Buddhist Circuit. The Mahaparinirvan Express should be extended up to Puri. Domestic flight connectivity from/ to Bodh Gaya, Pune. Udaipur & Allahabad. International Airport in Puri will be expedited as one of the major airports in Eastern India, along with another airport in Ganjam district. Mega Convention Centre will be constructed under the banner of World Trade Center Bhubaneswar, which has been overdue. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, must expedite revamping tourism offices in Indian embassies/ consulates with right knowledgeable manpower.”

A number of senior stakeholders attended the event and shared their views at the conclave.

Need for resilience

Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL, said that the tourism and travel sector must come up as the emerging sector in the country. “Resilience of the sector is need of the hour. Tourism sector must act as the major employment generator with 126 million new job opportunities globally in the next decade and India contributing to almost 20 per cent of it,” he said.

Star category hotels

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said that more star category/ luxury hotels in Odisha are need of the hour, especially around Chilika lake area. “Convention/ M!CE Tourism promotion, especially for the state of Odisha should be taken up on priority basis. Tribal Tourism promotion in conjunction with neighbouring states should be taken up. Similar conjunction must be done for Buddhist Tourism with neighbouring states. Indian hotelier/ tour operators reimbursement for foreign promotion trips/ foreign roadshow participation should be increased from `75,000 to at least `2-2.5 lakh. The Annual IATO convention in 2025 will be held in Puri,” he said.

The second technical session at the conclave focused on ‘Developing East India Circuit’, which was moderated by Debasis Patnaik, MD, Crown & Founder, Dalma Restaurant Chain.

Speaking at the session Sagnik Chowdhury, Regional Director, India Tourism, clarified that Koraput has been declared as one of the 50 priority destinations by the Ministry of Tourism, GOI and another destination in Odisha yet to be declared. “Ministry of Tourism has come up with Yuva Tourism Clubs, which reach out to institutions and colleges to conduct excursions, activities, study tours, as students can be the best ambassadors in upholding the tourism flag of our country. More stakeholders should opt for the STCI (Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India) Certification. Odisha investors in tourism sector must participate in Global Tourism Investors Summit at Delhi in May this year,” he said.

Prasanna Pradhan, Airport Director, Biju Patnaik International Airport, said, “Odisha is being given utmost priority by central government for different UDAN schemes.”

Debjit Dutta, Chairman, IATO – West Bengal Chapter; Sanjit Bhattacharya, Director Sales – North & East India, Indigo Airlines; Gagan Sarangi, Chairman, IATO Odisha Chapter and Debasish Mishra, Director, Pure Trip & VP, EKTTA also addressed the session.

The third session was on Strengthening Eco-Tourism, which saw Yugabrata Kar, Director, Heritage Tours Orissa saying that strategies must be formulated to pitch Odisha tourism in a way that it sells better, generates more revenue and invite active in-bound tourism in the state. “USP generation and diversification is a must to create a holistic image of the state. Tour Guide training programmes to be initiated at a larger scale,” Kar said.

Among others who addressed the session included Anshu Pragyan Das, DFO, Hirakud Wildlife Division, (Sambalpur – Bargarh Districts of Odisha), Department of Forest, Government of Odisha; Mrinalika Bhanj Deo, Managing Director, The Belgadia Palace, Mayurbhanj; Sila Siba Prasad, Joint Secretary, HRAO and Anil Dhir, Historian & President, INTACH Odisha.