Odisha Tourism Highlights Niche and Eco-Tourism at Hyderabad Roadshow to Strengthen Regional Outreach

Hyderabad, 4th February 2025: Odisha Tourism’s campaign to boost inbound and domestic tourism began today with a roadshow in Hyderabad. The event, organised in association with FICCI, witnessed 40+ travel operators and other tourism stakeholders from Hyderabad engaged in a series of B2B interactions.

Odisha is actively promoting its tourism sector within domestic markets by showcasing its diverse attractions, including cultural heritage monuments, waterfalls, wildlife, local cuisine, hills, and Buddhist circuits. This effort is further enhanced by the popular Eco Retreat Odisha, a three-month glamping festival that has gained widespread recognition. The roadshow, held at Taj Krishna, Hyderabad, was marked by a series of informative sessions and interactive engagements with travel operators and tourism stakeholders from Hyderabad.

Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida graced the roadshow and said, “Our unwavering commitment fosters a pro-investment environment, providing robust support for businesses. Backed by unmatched destinations and serene landscapes, opportunities across diverse tourism sub sectors, Odisha presents a golden opportunity for investors to build, grow, and thrive in one of India’s most promising tourism markets.”

She emphasized Odisha’s growing importance on the tourism map of India. Her address underscored the state government’s commitment to enhancing the tourism sector and creating an inviting environment for tourists and investors alike.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism Shri Balwant Singh highlighted the State’s extensive tourism potential and efforts to make Odisha a key destination for domestic travellers. Deliberating on the excellent road network Odisha has that connects with neighbouring States, he highlighted Odisha’s diverse tourist destinations emphasizing on the state’s potential as a premier destination for both domestic and international travellers. His presentation focused on opportunities for investors and tourism stakeholders, outlining the state’s commitment to creating a seamless environment for collaboration and growth in the sector, with a special focus on strategic investments and infrastructure development.

Shri Lokesh Kumar, Head, PMU Odisha Tourism, delivered the welcome address, inviting everyone to explore Odisha first-hand. He emphasised that the government is aiming to make the experience as smooth as possible, so that all involved parties like DTOs, DMCs and investors can maximize their potential and contribute to the growth of the sector.

The event also included a series of Interactive Q&A sessions with the stakeholders, where travel operators, tour agencies, and other tourism-related businesses from Hyderabad engaged in meaningful discussions with the Odisha Tourism delegation. These sessions facilitated valuable Business-to-Business (B2B) interactions, which are expected to strengthen ties between Odisha and Hyderabad’s travel industry. One of the major highlights of the session was the proposal for Odisha’s inclusion in prominent Tourism Plazas, which would enhance the visibility and accessibility of the state’s rich tourism offerings. Another important discussion centred around the promotion of wellness tourism in Odisha. With the increasing global interest in wellness and holistic travel experiences, the stakeholders suggested several ideas for leveraging Odisha’s natural beauty, serene landscapes, and traditional wellness practices to establish the state as a top wellness destination.

Later in the day, the Odisha Tourism delegation held a meeting with 12+ potential investors (B2G meetings) from the travel and tourism fraternity to discuss opportunities for investment in the state’s burgeoning tourism infrastructure.

Odisha Tourism delegation, led by Smt. Pravati Parida, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Odisha also met Mr. Rohit Matta, Director Sensation Infracom Pvt. Ltd, Chairman & MD (Formula 4) Mr Akhilesh Reddy N. During the discussion, talks were initiated to explore the development of hotels, resorts, concert-led infrastructure in Odisha in collaboration with the Department of Tourism. The proposed partnerships shall aim to enhance the state’s hospitality infrastructure, offering a broader range of accommodation options for both domestic and international tourists.