BHUBANESWAR: The state government showcased its tourism potential to foreign delegates at the World Travel Market (WTM), London, to attract overseas tourists to Odisha. The three-day international travel trade show ended on Wednesday.
A government-delegation led by chief secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena and tourism director Sachin Jadhav held business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings with stakeholders, including government officials, tour operators, hoteliers, airlines, travel writers and other professionals from different countries.
The Odisha Tourism pavilion served as a platform to showcase a diverse array of tourism products and transformative experiences for travellers under the theme Incredible India. “The event provided Odisha a unique opportunity to exhibit our best kept secrets and connect with potential buyers,” a senior Odisha Tourism officer said.
The state government promoted the annual eco-retreat glamping festival among the foreign audiences. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on November 1 inaugurated the eco retreat at four exotic destinations — Putsil in Koraput district, Daringbadi in Kandhamal, Satkosia in Angul district and Hirakud in Sambalpur district.
“Delegates visited Odisha Tourism stall, got a visual treat of Odisha’s glamping getaway eco retreat and led discussions about the state’s hidden getaways while promoting sustainability and ensuring livelihood development. Mr Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Tourism Minister Meghalaya visited Odisha Tourism stall and tried the Oculus VR to get a visual treat of Eco Retreat,” Odisha Tourism posted on X (formerly twitter).
The state tourism industry, which was in doldrums in 2020 and 2021 owing to the Covid pandemic, recovered strongly in 2022 with a significant rise in the arrival of domestic and foreign tourists. Official statistics said there was an 875% growth in the inflow of foreign tourists to Odisha last year as compared to 2021.
While only 2,269 foreigners had visited the state in 2021, their arrival grew to 22,121 in 2022. The top three countries generating the maximum number of international tourists for Odisha were USA (3,446 tourists), Japan (2,378 tourists) and Germany (1,476 tourists).
The tourism department expects the arrival of more tourists this year due to the recent launch of direct international flights to Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok. Recently, the tourism department held roadshows in Singapore, Bangkok and Hanoi. Besides, Odia diaspora events were conducted in Silicon Valley, USA, Singapore and Dubai.
A government-delegation led by chief secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena and tourism director Sachin Jadhav held business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings with stakeholders, including government officials, tour operators, hoteliers, airlines, travel writers and other professionals from different countries.
The Odisha Tourism pavilion served as a platform to showcase a diverse array of tourism products and transformative experiences for travellers under the theme Incredible India. “The event provided Odisha a unique opportunity to exhibit our best kept secrets and connect with potential buyers,” a senior Odisha Tourism officer said.
The state government promoted the annual eco-retreat glamping festival among the foreign audiences. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on November 1 inaugurated the eco retreat at four exotic destinations — Putsil in Koraput district, Daringbadi in Kandhamal, Satkosia in Angul district and Hirakud in Sambalpur district.
“Delegates visited Odisha Tourism stall, got a visual treat of Odisha’s glamping getaway eco retreat and led discussions about the state’s hidden getaways while promoting sustainability and ensuring livelihood development. Mr Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Tourism Minister Meghalaya visited Odisha Tourism stall and tried the Oculus VR to get a visual treat of Eco Retreat,” Odisha Tourism posted on X (formerly twitter).
The state tourism industry, which was in doldrums in 2020 and 2021 owing to the Covid pandemic, recovered strongly in 2022 with a significant rise in the arrival of domestic and foreign tourists. Official statistics said there was an 875% growth in the inflow of foreign tourists to Odisha last year as compared to 2021.
While only 2,269 foreigners had visited the state in 2021, their arrival grew to 22,121 in 2022. The top three countries generating the maximum number of international tourists for Odisha were USA (3,446 tourists), Japan (2,378 tourists) and Germany (1,476 tourists).
The tourism department expects the arrival of more tourists this year due to the recent launch of direct international flights to Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok. Recently, the tourism department held roadshows in Singapore, Bangkok and Hanoi. Besides, Odia diaspora events were conducted in Silicon Valley, USA, Singapore and Dubai.
