Odisha calls for private investment in tourism sector

Odisha Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda on Tuesday appealed to the private investors to invest in the tourism sector and tap its full potential.

He also invited the doyens of the tourism industry to participate in the first Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) scheduled to be held on October 15-17 in Bhubaneswar.

It would be organised by the Department of Tourism in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Addressing a roadshow organised by FICCI in the national capital for the upcoming OTB, Panda said Odisha is emerging as a priority destination for creative travellers for authentic experiences with its unique natural and cultural heritage.

The Odisha Travel Bazaar would give investors an opportunity to explore various sectors of tourism business, he added.

Giving an elaborate presentation on the business and investment opportunities available in Odisha's tourism sector, Tourism Director Nitin Bhanudas Jawale said that with better air connectivity, Odisha is now easily accessible by travellers from across the globe.

Besides, the unique and business-friendly tourism policy provides lucrative incentives and subsidies to investors, said Jawale.

He said the government had initiated single window clearance system, which has made the process of acquiring various clearances easier.

Jawale said that development of infrastructure in tourism sector was one of the critical components and the State Government was looking for private sector participation.

Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson of FICCI Tourism Committee, said the Odisha Travel Bazar would have exclusive focus on business of inbound and domestic tourism, prefixed, structured, organised buyer-seller meets spread over three days, transacting and capitalizing on business opportunities between international, domestic buyers and sellers of Odisha tourism products at the booths of the sellers.

The aim would be to ensure participation of around 40 foreign tour operators, 10 top-of-the-line inbound operators, 20 leading domestic tour operators from across India, five leading airlines -- all will be hosted as buyers in the first edition of OTB.

--IANS

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