Hospitality & travel trade stakeholders put forth suggestions to help promote Odisha as prominent M!CE destination in recently concluded 5th Odisha Tourism Conclave.
5th Odisha Tourism Conclave concluded on a strong note with tour operators, hoteliers, central and state govt officials, stakeholders from tourism, hospitality and airline sector, intellectuals and media representatives deliberating over Odisha’s M!CE tourism potential.
Conclave was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik virtually in the presence of other dignitaries.
“Odisha holds huge tourism potential due to its 500-km coastline, hill ranges, rivers, lakes, among others which needs to be highlighted. Assistance of highest level of subsidies and grants will act as a major boost for this sector. Tourism and travel sector will come up as the emerging sector in the country,” said Puneet Chhatwal, MD, Taj Group of Hotels.
Rajiv Mehra, President, Indian Association of Tour Operators, said, “Convention and M!CE tourism promotion especially for the state of Odisha should be taken up on priority basis. More star category/luxury hotels in Odisha is need of the hour, especially around Chilika lake area. Tribal tourism promotion in conjunction with neighbouring states should be taken up. Indian hoteliers/tour operators reimbursement for foreign promotion trips/foreign roadshow participation should be increased from `75,000 to at least `2/2.5 lakhs.” He further announced that IATO will hold its annual convention in Puri in 2025.
J K Mohanty, CMD, Swosti Group of Hotels & Chairman, HRAO delivered the welcome address and gave brief introduction to the motto and objective of the conclave. Mohanty said, “At least two destinations from Odisha will be on Government of India’s list of Dekho Apna Desh 2.0 where 51 destinations from India would be developed as major tourist destinations in the country. Odisha is slated to organize at least one G20 meet related to tourism sector.”
