Odisha to Boost Tourism with Infrastructure Development and Initiatives like ‘Wedding in Odisha’

Odisha to Boost Tourism with Infrastructure Development and Initiatives like ‘Wedding in Odisha’

Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, speaking at the 6th edition of the Odisha Travel Bazaar on Monday, urged the state government to capitalize on Odisha's unique offerings and enhance efforts to attract tourists seeking extraordinary experiences.  Shekhawat highlighted a post-Covid shift in Indian travel trends, with more people now prioritizing experiential travel. 

The event, organized by the state Tourism Department in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), aimed to aggressively promote Odisha’s tourist destinations to both domestic and international markets. Around 100 domestic tour operators from over 30 cities across India and more than 30 foreign tour operators from 17 countries, including Australia, the UK, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Spain, and Singapore, participated in the event.

“Odisha’s unique culture, dance, crafts and cuisine makes it an exceptional and unparalleled destination. The state only needs to work on curating these experiences with special focus on infrastructure,” he said. Emphasizing Odisha's uniqueness, Shekhawat stressed the importance of developing comprehensive infrastructure to enhance the state's tourism experience and product offerings. He noted that robust infrastructure would be crucial in driving growth within the sector. Regarding Odia cuisine, the Union Minister recommended that the Tourism Department identify a signature food item from each district and promote it on the global stage.

“Considering the potential of the state in nature-based, culture-based or adventure-based tourism, it will place itself prominently in the tourism map of the country in the days to come. The Odisha government has come out with new incentives to draw more tourism investments and this will help in rapid growth of the sector. The central government is ready to contribute towards this growth,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, deputy chief minister Pravati Parida emphasized the importance of private sector participation in tourism. “Odisha offers a diverse range of tourism experiences, but its potential remains largely untapped. To realize this potential, it is now time to develop new ideas, and we welcome the private sector participation in this. The government can act as a facilitator, but infrastructure and business will be done by the private sector,” she said.

Keeping in view the immense tourism potential, the state government will soon roll out a ‘Wedding Odisha’ policy, aimed at promoting temple weddings, destination weddings, and other unique wedding experiences in the state.  ‘Wed in Odisha’, on the lines of ‘Wed in India’ to promote the state’s ancient monuments and temple complexes as ideal venues for destination and cultural weddings.

The initiative to promote Odia sites as destination wedding venues is expected to significantly boost the local economy while drawing attention to the state's many lesser-known attractions, including its temples, beaches, lakes, hills, and offbeat locations. In a press meeting, Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister also outlined the government's plans to introduce a Home Stay Policy and an Adventure Sports Policy, both designed to foster entrepreneurial opportunities within the state.

"The homestay and adventure sports policies will not only encourage local entrepreneurship but also attract global tourists. Odisha will no longer be a hidden gem; every corner of the state will tell a unique story, offering vast opportunities to explore its natural beauty," Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida announced.

She also revealed that the state is collaborating with the Centre to develop Buddhist sites. "This initiative aims to enhance heritage tourism at Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, and Udayagiri, as well as other sites, particularly targeting Buddhist pilgrims from Southeast Asia. In the next six months, the people of Odisha will witness significant changes, and tourism will become one of the key contributors to the state’s GDP," she said.