Bhubaneswar: Highlighting Odisha tourism on the world stage, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated the Odisha Pavilion at the World Tourism Market (WTM) 2024, held at the Excel Centre in London.
The inauguration ceremony saw attendance from notable figures including the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami; the Tourism Minister of Telangana, Jupli Krishna Rao; and Mugdha Sinha, Director General of Tourism from the Union Ministry of Tourism.
The WTM 2024 felicitated Parida for inaugurating the Odisha Pavilion. She also toured the tourism pavilions of other prominent states.
Leading a high-level delegation to London focused on advancing Odisha tourism, Parida engaged with key investors, stakeholders, and entrepreneurs in the UK. In a meeting with Yashin Zargar, Director of Indus Experience, the delegation discussed strategies to promote Odisha tourism in the UK.
The team also held discussions with Ramesh Arora, Founder and CEO of Signature Hospitality Group, and Manish Gupta, Secretary and International Coordinator of the PIO Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PIOCCI) and Chairman of PIO TV. These discussions focused on enhancing the tourism department’s assets, raising Odisha’s profile in the European market, and advancing skill development in the hospitality sector.
Deputy Chief Minister Parida was interviewed by major UK media houses, Sky News and NBC Channel, where she highlighted Odisha’s tourism potential and the state government’s policies to promote it.
At a WTM press conference, Parida addressed international media representatives, industry leaders, investors, and delegations, noting that Odisha’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and rich traditions are a significant draw for tourists. She invited UK and European partners and investors to support Odisha tourism and encouraged the Odia diaspora in the UK to attend Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Odisha from January 8-10, aiming to promote Odia culture and foster connections with their heritage.
The Odisha delegation also engaged in discussions with Deepak Deva, Managing Director of SITA, India and Chairman of the FICCI Tourism Sub-Committee. Topics included strategies to promote Odisha’s unique tourist destinations and elevate their global recognition. The delegation explored potential developments in Odisha’s wedding tourism sector with Chetan Bohora, MD of Weddingline Events & Hospitality, a leader in wedding tourism.
In the evening, the delegation held a roundtable discussion with 17 wedding and event planners. Samarth Verma, Director of Tourism, presented Odisha’s tourism potential, existing infrastructure, and the growing opportunities in wedding tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) to support tourism growth. The meeting emphasized key points for developing Odisha’s tourism sector.
Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Tourism, invited UK representatives for familiarization (FAM) trips to promote Odisha’s tourism and wedding sectors. Anu Garg, Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, also extended an invitation to UK representatives to participate in Odisha’s upcoming Make in India program.
The Odisha Pavilion, open until November 7 at WTM, showcases iconic attractions such as the Konark Sun Temple, Puri Jagannath Temple, Chilika Lake, and Odisha’s pristine beaches and wildlife. The pavilion highlights Odisha tourism products, including eco retreats, nature camps, and water sports. The state government’s active participation in WTM underscores its commitment to establishing partnerships with international investors to foster cultural exchange and drive Odisha’s economic development.
