Bhubaneswar: Odisha is positioning itself as a major tourism destination in India, with a focus on expanding business opportunities, promoting local communities and showcasing the state’s cultural and natural heritage globally, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said on Thursday.

Parida announced the seventh edition of the Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) 2026, scheduled to be held from October 3 to 5 at Mayfair Sanctuary in Bhubaneswar. The announcement was made at a pre-event press conference at Mayfair Lagoon.

Organised by the Odisha Tourism Department in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the three-day B2B tourism marketplace will bring together more than 200 buyers, over 100 tourism businesses and foreign tour operators from 27 countries.

The event is expected to facilitate more than 6,000 pre-scheduled B2B meetings, providing opportunities for tourism businesses in Odisha to connect with domestic and international buyers.

Speaking at the press conference, Parida said the state was pursuing an ambitious tourism strategy aimed at generating direct economic benefits for local communities while strengthening Odisha’s presence on the global tourism map.

“Our tagline is ‘Think India, Think Odisha.’ If anyone in the world wishes to invest in India or explore India, they must think of Odisha first,” she said.

The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the state’s policies in areas such as adventure tourism, homestays and hospitality, saying Odisha was working to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Parida also stressed that the economic benefits of tourism should extend beyond hotels and resorts to local communities and small businesses across the state. She emphasised the importance of creating memorable experiences for visitors by showcasing Odisha’s culture, traditions and community life.

She urged media representatives and tourism stakeholders from across the world to help promote Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and living traditions, particularly those of rural Odisha.

Eight FAM tours planned

As part of OTB 2026, eight pre- and post-event Familiarisation (FAM) Tours will be organised to destinations across Odisha. Tour operators, buyers, media representatives and influencers will get first-hand exposure to the state’s tourism offerings.

The tours will showcase Odisha’s heritage and spiritual destinations, nature and wildlife, tribal traditions, coastal attractions and experiential tourism products.

The event will also feature an experience-sharing session by celebrity chef Ranveer Brar, aimed at promoting Odisha’s culinary tourism potential.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Tourism Department Balwant Singh, Director of Tourism Deepankar Mohapatra and representatives of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), Travel Agents Association of Odisha (TAAO), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Enterprising Knot of Travel and Tourism Associates (EKTTA) and Odisha Tour Operators Association (OTOA) were among those present at the press conference.

With international and domestic buyers, tourism businesses and thousands of scheduled meetings, OTB 2026 is expected to provide a platform for Odisha’s tourism industry to build new partnerships and expand its reach in domestic and overseas markets.