Odisha Tourism’s successful participation at WTM London boosts global outreach

Bhubaneswar, Nov 8: Odisha Tourism wrapped up a highly successful final day at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2024, where senior officials led productive B2B and B2G meetings to establish strategic partnerships and enhance Odisha’s global tourism presence.

The day culminated in a grand diaspora connect event, “Tourism Odyssey: Strengthening Ties with Diaspora and Tourism Leaders,” attended by over 150 UK-based members. The event, organized by the Odisha Department of Tourism in collaboration with FICCI, Odisha’s Industry Partner, was a key highlight of the state’s participation.

During the event, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Pravati Parida, emotionally engaged with the Indian diaspora, inviting them to join Odisha’s growth journey. She shared the state’s vision to become a prime destination for international travelers, with a focus on the UK due to its strong cultural ties and tourist interest. She highlighted Odisha’s investor-friendly policies and its Go-Swift platform, encouraging diaspora involvement in the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, scheduled for January 2025 in Odisha.

The keynote address was delivered by Odisha’s Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Anu Garg, who presented the state’s “Vision 2036: Odisha’s Path to Viksit Bharat 2047.” She emphasized Odisha’s ambitious growth across sectors such as tourism, healthcare, infrastructure, and education, all contributing to the vision of a developed India by 2047.

Tourism Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Balwant Singh, provided an insightful presentation on Odisha’s tourism potential, investment-friendly policies, and business environment. He spotlighted the state’s rich offerings, including world heritage sites, ecotourism destinations, vibrant festivals, and opportunities for investment, encouraging stakeholders to invest in Odisha’s tourism growth.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by FICCI Senior Advisor, Manab Majumdar, who commended the contributions of all stakeholders and expressed optimism for a thriving Odisha-UK tourism partnership, followed by a networking dinner.

Earlier, the Odisha delegation held fruitful meetings with top travel agencies, including Wanderlust, Corinthina Travel, Disney Middle East, Cleartrip, and others, while also hosting two investor roundtables with global and diaspora investors in sectors such as tourism, healthcare, green energy, and financial services. The delegation showcased Odisha’s conducive business environment and robust policy framework.

Odisha’s participation in WTM London 2024 signifies a major leap toward establishing the state as a leading destination for cultural exploration, natural beauty, and grand celebrations. The “Tourism Odyssey” event, along with Odisha’s broader engagement at WTM, has strengthened the state’s position as a premier tourism destination and investment hotspot, paving the way for enhanced UK and European collaborations.