Bhubaneswar: Odisha Tourism Minister Pravati Parida is making a strong and result-oriented presence at the ongoing Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2025 in Jaipur.
The state’s participation is marked by an extensive line-up of strategic business meetings, focused engagements, and high-level dialogues with national and international tourism stakeholders.
The Odisha delegation has rolled out a packed agenda over the next two days, with a sharp focus on the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector. Targeted discussions are underway with key players in the tourism and event management ecosystem to promote Odisha as an emerging MICE destination.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, speaking at the inaugural session of GITB during the “Meet in India Conclave,” commended Odisha’s proactive tourism strategy. He praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and noted Odisha’s campaign as a standout example of regional tourism being scaled to international standards.
“Many states have taken up tourism promotion aggressively and strategically. Odisha’s campaign at GITB reflects professionalism and vision,” said Shekhawat.
Odisha’s campaign at GITB 2025 is designed to engage domestic and international travel operators, destination planners, and investors. The focus areas include heritage, ecotourism, culture, and business travel, reinforcing Odisha’s position as a holistic tourism destination.
As part of the official itinerary, Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism, represented Odisha at the Secretaries’ Roundtable on MICE Tourism. He outlined the state’s successful execution of large-scale events such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025, the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, and the Asian Athletics Championship, all of which were supported by infrastructure delivered within 90 days.
Singh also showcased Odisha’s innovations in delegate management, including portal-based systems, real-time movement tracking, and community-integrated planning—highlighting the state as a model for replicable MICE operations.
In a significant side event, a high-level stakeholder meeting on MICE Tourism in Odisha was convened, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Parvati Parida. The session brought together more than 45 participants, including representatives from Event Management Agencies (EMAs), Foreign Tour Operators (FTOs), and Destination Management Companies (DMCs).
Addressing the gathering, Parida reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enabling a streamlined experience for industry partners.
“We understand the operational bottlenecks in the tourism sector and are committed to resolving them through policy-driven MICE incentives, backed by a strong Ease of Doing Business framework,” she stated, extending an invitation to FTOs and DMCs to explore Odisha as a destination.
The Department of Tourism highlighted current policy efforts aimed at making Odisha a premier MICE hub. These include incentive-based frameworks, fast-track NOC processes, and support for events across a range of venues—from state-of-the-art convention centres to eco-retreats.
Tourism Director Mansi Nimbhal presented the scope and potential of MICE tourism in Odisha, encouraging collaboration and investment. Lokesh Kumar, PMU Team Leader and Director at EY, moderated the G2B and B2B meetings, facilitating dialogue with top foreign tour operators, logistics providers, and DMCs.
Odisha Tourism’s presence at GITB 2025 continues to draw attention for its professional approach and comprehensive messaging. Backed by heritage, nature, and responsive governance, the state is quickly emerging as a leading tourism destination in India—catering to both leisure seekers and business travelers.
