Bhubaneswar: With an objective to attract tourists from Southeast Asia, Odisha Tourism conducted its third leg of International Tourism promotional campaign with a roadshow in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Tourism Roadshow, organised in association with FICCI, witnessed more than 130 tour and travel operators from Vietnam networking with tourism industry stakeholders of Odisha. Engaging B2B and B2G sessions were held between the stakeholders of Vietnam and Odisha before the inaugural session.
In the inaugural session, Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director, Tourism gave a presentation on Odisha Tourism’s initiatives towards sustainable tourism projects that have been attracting tourists from across the globe. Drawing parallel between the culture of both regions due to the ancient maritime trade connection between Kalinga (erstwhile Odisha) and Champa (ancient Southern Vietnam), he threw light on various tourism products Odisha to attract tourists from Vietnam, especially the Buddhist Circuit.
Highlighting Odisha’s diverse tourism offerings, he said, “This roadshow is a platform for industry stakeholders in Vietnam to network with tourism industry stakeholders from Odisha. I welcome the stakeholders of both the destinations to explore avenues for tourism promotion and aid in boosting the tourism driven economy in both the regions.”
Chairman of Indian Business Chamber at Vietnam (INCHAM Hanoi) Indronil Sengupta said, “The roadshow series will foster collaborations between Odisha and Vietnamese stakeholders in the tourism sector and enhance the marketing efforts of Odisha and Vietnam to promote the destinations to prospective tourists.”
Madam Phan Lan Tu, Chairperson, Hanoi Vietnam India Friendship Association and Rachna Srivastav, First Secretary (Consular), Embassy of India, Vietnam addressed the gathering which set the tone for a panel discussion among industry leaders from India and Vietnam.
JK Mohanty, CMD, Swosti Group, led the special panel discussion on ‘Tourism Potential in Odisha’ which had panelists from various domains representing MICE, Luxury Cruises and Houseboats, Heritage Palaces and Hospitality and Destination Management Companies.
Director, Belgadia Palace, Akshita Manjari Bhanj Deo; Managing Director, Vikash Eco Resorts, Srinivas Valluri; Secretary, Odisha Tour Operators Association, Yugabrata Kar; President, Mayfair Hotels and Resorts, Manoj Gouda and Head, PMU, Odisha Tourism Lokesh Kumar were other members in the panel. OSD Tourism Ansuman Rath also spoke.
Earlier in the day, Odisha Tourism delegation led by Jadhav called on the Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya to discuss tourism growth opportunities between Odisha and Vietnam. The Ambassador ensured full support of the Embassy in the endeavour of Odisha Tourism to promote the state’s tourism offerings in Vietnam.
