Bhubaneswar: The seventh edition of Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) got off to a colourful start in Bhubaneswar on Saturday with a focus on giving a robust global identity to the state’s tourism sector and attracting large scale investments.
Inaugurating the event, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called upon investors, hospitality brands and tourism partners from India and abroad to explore Odisha’s vast tourism potential and invest in the state.
The government is making efforts to position Odisha as an attractive destination for tourists while creating an investment-friendly ecosystem for the rapid growth of the important sector, said Majhi.
The Chief Minister said that under the state’s new tourism policy, the minimum room requirement for star hotels has been reduced from 50 to 10. The maximum limit for capital subsidy has also been increased from Rs 20 crore to Rs 120 crore, he said.
The government has approved a budget of Rs 1,500 crore for the 2026-31 period, along with a 5,500-acre land bank to facilitate the development of new hotels and resorts in the state, he said.
The Chief Minister also announced measures to strengthen tourist safety and hospitality.
A tourist police system will be introduced at 29 major tourist destinations across Odisha, while 1,000 trained lifeguards will be deployed at beaches and water sports locations through OSWALI. Destination managers will also be appointed at tourist spots witnessing high footfall, he said.
Calling upon the people to extend warm hospitality to visitors, CM Majhi invoked the Jagannath culture’s message of Atithi Devo Bhava (guests are akin to God). Tourists visiting the state should be treated with respect so that they become “true brand ambassadors” of Odisha, he said.
In the age of social media, even an unpleasant incident can spread rapidly, Majhi said, urging people to work together to ensure that visitors carry positive memories of the state.
He said the state’s tourism sector is being strengthened in line with the Viksit Odisha Vision 2036-2047 roadmap. Local artisans, guides and tour operators are also being equipped with modern digital skills to make tourists’ journeys more convenient and memorable, he added.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said Odisha is not merely a tourist destination but a “global experience”, pointing to its Buddhist heritage, handloom traditions, heritage sites, Chilika Lake and eco-tourism offerings.
Former India cricket captain and legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev, who attended the event, spoke about the role of sports in enhancing a country’s global identity.
He said India is progressing rapidly in sports, with athletes winning medals at the Asian Games and Olympics. Kapil also highlighted Odisha’s contribution to the growth of Indian hockey and said the state has the potential to emerge as a major sports hub of India alongside its tourism development.
During the event, the Chief Minister launched several projects and portals, besides unveiling a coffee-table book titled Pitha, Mitha Pana.
The new Odisha Tourism Portal was also launched to promote the state’s tourism offerings, while the web application for the Odisha Tourism Investment Incentive Management System was introduced to facilitate investors.
Majhi also unveiled the jersey for the upcoming Puri Coastal Marathon.