Bhubaneswar: Odisha Tourism was awarded the prestigious “Best Stall in the Public Sector Category” at the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2025, held in Jaipur.
The recognition, jointly presented by FICCI and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, celebrates Odisha’s standout pavilion, which drew widespread appreciation for its creative design, immersive experiences, and compelling presentation of the state’s rich and diverse tourism offerings.
The award marks a significant milestone for Odisha Tourism, affirming its growing prominence on the national and global travel map. The pavilion served as a hub of activity during Days 2 and 3 of the event, engaging tour operators, dignitaries, and industry stakeholders from across India and abroad.
Over the course of two days, the Odisha pavilion facilitated more than 170 high-impact G2B and B2B meetings, underscoring the state’s proactive approach to forging strategic partnerships.
Delegates from Australia, Romania, and Serbia expressed strong interest in promoting Odisha as a destination for Free Independent Travellers (FITs) and engaged with state representatives to explore opportunities in curated travel circuits and tourism product development.
The Odisha delegation was led by Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Tourism Balwant Singh, Director of Tourism Mansi Nimbhal, and Lokesh Kumar, PMU Team Lead and Director at EY. The team held strategic discussions with prominent industry players including Yatra and Sita Travels, and briefed over 35 foreign tour operators (FTOs) and destination management companies (DMCs) on Odisha’s tourism potential, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) readiness, and policy-level incentives.
At a Secretary-level Roundtable with DMCs, Odisha Tourism highlighted its ongoing efforts to create a seamless and investor-friendly travel ecosystem through a single-window clearance system, robust infrastructure development, and experience-driven itinerary design. The team also extended formal invitations to selected FTOs and DMCs to attend the upcoming Odisha Travel Bazaar 2026, offering participation in FAM (familiarization) trips covering the state’s heritage, coastal, and ecotourism circuits.
A major crowd-puller at the pavilion was the AR/VR experiential zone, which allowed visitors to virtually explore iconic destinations such as Konark, Satkosia, and Bhitarkanika. Complementing the digital experience was a taste of Odisha’s culinary heritage, with visitors enjoying traditional Odia snacks such as Arisa Pitha and Khaja, further enriching the cultural immersion.
Odisha’s growing appeal is also buoyed by enhanced connectivity, with direct international flights from Bhubaneswar to Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok, positioning the state as a globally accessible destination for leisure, spiritual, and business travel.
As GITB 2025 concluded, Odisha Tourism emerged not just with a prestigious award but also with renewed global interest, strengthened industry collaborations, and a clear message: the state is ready to co-create transformative travel experiences rooted in authenticity, powered by innovation, and backed by progressive governance.
