INDIA: Odisha Tourism To Bring ‘Odisha Travel Bazaar’

Odisha Tourism is looking at organising the first edition of Odisha Travel Bazaar either this year or probably by 2017, informed Utpal K Pati, OTS, Deputy Director, Odisha Tourism. “Odisha Tourism is yet to announce the details of first edition of Odisha Travel Bazaar.

We believe it will be a great medium to attract tourists as well as investment opportunities.

Simultaneously, our local suppliers will be able to network with the travel trade from across the country and create awareness about the latest tourism offerings of the state,” he added. Pati was addressing a press conference at the Odisha Tourism’s roadshow in New Delhi. The 10-city roadshow concluded in the national capital where 10 tour operators and hoteliers from Odisha met about 80 tour operators.

The Buddhist heritage of Odisha comprising Ratnagiri-Lalitgiri-Udayagiri-Langudi and Dhauli attracts tourists from overseas and domestic front. Along with the neighbouring states, Odisha is aiming to attract Buddhist travellers to the state, with 8-10 major Buddhist destinations based in the state.

Pati added that there is no living Buddhist heritage in the state where a regular worship takes place. Therefore, we plan to build a monastery soon, which will attract tourists in big numbers, added Pati. Odisha observes domestic tourists in large numbers from states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

The eco-tourism destinations have received an overwhelming response from Scandinavian countries such as Denmark and Holland and Germany.

The domestic airfare to Odisha is often very high and mainly budget travellers opt for a train journey. This is a big setback to the mid-segment and high-end traveller. Odisha Tourism is in talks with Silk Air and Tiger Air to commence flights from South Asia into Odisha.

It is also pushing flydubai to attract Gulf-based travellers. A local carrier – Air Odisha has started operations in the state.

Additonally, Odisha Tourism is also organising a number of festivals such as Konark Festival (December 1-5), International Sand Art Festival (December 1-5), Parab Tribal Festival (November 16-18), Dhanu Yatra Festival (Dec - Jan) Rajarani Music Festival (January 18-20) and Mukteswar Dance Festival (January 14-16) to attract more of domestic and international visitors. In August last year, a Sound and Light Show was inauguarted at Dhauli and will follow in at Konark and Khandagiri-Udayagiri soon.