Bhubaneswar: A high-level delegation led by Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida is currently visiting the United Kingdom to boost Odisha’s tourism sector.
According to an official press release, Deputy Chief Minister Parida met with India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswamy, to discuss avenues for promoting Odisha’s tourism potential.
The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Tourism Department Balwant Singh, Director of Tourism Samarth Verma, Additional Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office Anupam Saha, along with other senior officials.
The discussions focused on showcasing Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, art, and architecture to tourists from the UK and Europe.
High Commissioner Doraiswamy proposed a more people-centered approach to tourism, emphasizing partnerships with tour operators and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) to make Odisha a more accessible destination.
Deputy Chief Minister Parida highlighted Odisha’s tourism policy, which has successfully attracted numerous investors. She spoke of Odisha’s unique attractions, including its expansive beaches, dense forests, sanctuaries, historic temples, and rich handicrafts. Special emphasis was given to promoting eco-tourism and heritage tourism.
During the visit, Deputy Chief Minister Parida also inaugurated a new restaurant, ‘Chilika,’ in Kent, UK. The restaurant, named after Asia’s largest brackish water lake, celebrates Odisha’s culture and was opened in the presence of the Mayor of Bexley, local councillors, and executives from the Odisha Society of the UK.
Odisha Tourism is also participating in the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2024, a major international event aimed at introducing Odisha’s unique culture to the global tourism market. This initiative is expected to create significant opportunities for cultural exchange and investment between Odisha and the United Kingdom.
