Bhubaneswar: Odisha Tourism marked an important step forward at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2024 by showcasing the state’s tourism potential to the UK and European source markets.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated Odisha’s pavilion at ExCel Center, alongside High Commissioner of India to UK Vikram Doraiswami. Tourism Minister of Telangana Jupally Krishna Rao and Director General Ministry of Tourism Mugdha Sinha were present.
She also inaugurated the India Tourism pavilion at WTM and she also visited the pavilion of some prominent States and met their respective delegations.
The delegation held meetings with various key investors, stakeholders and entrepreneurs. The delegation met Yasin Zargar, Director, Indus Experiences and discussed about promoting tourism to Odisha from the UK market, an official release said on Wednesday.
The delegation also met Ramesh Arora, Founder and CEO, Signature Hospitality Group and Munish Gupta, Chairman & Managing Editor, PIO TV and Secretary & International Coordinator of PIO Chamber of Commerce and Industry ((PIOCCI).
The discussions revolved around investment in redevelopment and augmentation of existing properties of Department of Tourism, increasing Odisha’s visibility in the European Market and skill development initiatives in the hospitality sector. Leading news agencies – SkyNews and NBC – interviewed the Deputy Chief Minister and discussed on the various tourism offerings of Odisha and how the State aims to promote tourism internationally.
Addressing international media, industry leaders, investors, and delegates at a press conference hosted by India Tourism at WTM London Deputy Chief Minister said, “Odisha’s cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and rich traditions make it a uniquely appealing destination. We look forward to engaging with UK and European tourism stakeholders to welcome more travellers to Odisha.”
She also invited the Indian diaspora to visit Odisha as the state will proudly host the 18th Edition of “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” on January 8-10, 2025, providing an opportunity to reconnect with India and celebrate the cultural heritage in Odisha.
The delegation met Deepak Deva, Managing Director, SITA India and Chairperson FICCI Tourism Subcommittee. The discussions revolved around how Odisha should focus on developing select few destinations to world class standards and engage in creative promotion through bespoke content.
The delegation also met Chetan Vohra, MD Weddingline Events & Hospitality, who is a prominent figure in the wedding tourism industry and discussed on various steps to be taken to promote wedding tourism in Odisha.
In the evening, the delegation met a select gathering of 17 wedding and event planners over a round table meeting. Director Tourism presented the opportunities, infrastructure availability, possible locations and support offered by Department of Tourism in promoting Wedding Tourism and MICE in Odisha. The discussions resulted in identification of some key areas of focus for Odisha Tourism to promote the sector.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism invited the delegation to visit Odisha and conduct FAM trips to potential wedding destinations in the State.
Development Commissioner-cum-ACS also invited the delegation to hold the next ‘Wed in India’ event in Odisha. The Odisha Tourism delegation will be at WTM London from 5th November to 7th November 2024, engaging with leading tour operators, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and tourism industry investors. The delegation intends to connect with industry leaders, tourism stakeholders, media representatives resulting in expanding Odisha’s visibility and foster collaborations.
The Odisha pavilion at WTM features immersive displays, engaging attendees with visuals of the Konark Sun Temple, Jagannath Temple in Puri, Chilika Lake, and Odisha’s pristine beaches and wildlife reserves along with niche tourism products like the Eco Retreat, Nature Camps, water-sports, etc.
Through Odisha Tourism’s active participation at WTM, the state seeks to build lasting partnerships and promote tourism as a bridge for cultural exchange and economic development.
WTM London 2024 sees strong representation from India, with several states — including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Goa among other Indian states — joining Odisha to showcase the nation’s diverse tourism offerings. This collective presence aims to foster greater international engagement and highlights India’s standing as a dynamic global travel destination.