Bhubaneswar: Marking a significant milestone in Odisha’s tourism and economic roadmap, the inaugurated The 7th edition of the Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) 2026 was inaugurated, here on Saturday by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The three-day event, organised by the Odisha Department of Tourism, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has brought together global and domestic tourism stakeholders, hospitality investors, international hosted buyers, tour operators and industry leaders on a common platform.The event aims to showcase Odisha’s diverse tourism assets before national and international markets while creating opportunities for business partnerships, investment and collaboration across the tourism and hospitality sectors.
The event will continue till October 5, with business-to-business (B2B), business-to-government (B2G), buyer-seller meetings and investment discussions forming the core of the programme.
Addressing the gathering, the CM described said the government is therefore working on comprehensive master plans for 15 marquee tourism destinations with the objective of developing them as globally competitive tourism destinations.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy 2026 as an important step towards attracting larger investments into the sector. Under the amended policy, the minimum room requirement for star-category hotels has been reduced from 50 rooms to 10 rooms, making it easier for smaller and specialised hospitality projects to qualify for incentives.The capital subsidy ceiling has also been increased to ₹120 crore. The policy provides subsidies of up to 40 per cent for museums and heritage properties, while electric boats, electric caravans and art and craft complexes are eligible for capital subsidies of up to 50 per cent.He further said the state has approved a dedicated scheme for acquiring 5,500 acres of land bank for hospitality infrastructure, backed by an investment of ₹1,500 crore. Capital subsidies of more than ₹163 crore have already been disbursed, reflecting the government’s efforts to support tourism-related investments.
Calling upon investors and hospitality companies from across the world to explore opportunities in Odisha, the Chief Minister urged global stakeholders to partner with the state and participate in its tourism growth story.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said, the benefits of tourism growth should reach local communities and create opportunities for women, artisans, drivers, guides and small food entrepreneurs. She highlighted the role of local participation in building a sustainable tourism ecosystem.Odia cuisine, she said, can serve as an important bridge between travellers and destinations.
At the event, the book “Pitha, Mitha & Pana” was released in the presence of celebrity chef and Cuisine Brand Ambassador Ranveer Brar.
The Chief Minister also launched the new Odisha Tourism website and the Odisha Tourism Investment Incentive Management System Web Application during the event.
The event also highlighted the growing connection between sports and tourism. The jersey and medal for the upcoming OMC Puri Coastal Marathon were unveiled in the presence of cricket legend and Padma Bhushan awardee Kapil Dev.
Tourism Secretary Balwant Singh said the Odisha Travel Bazaar has been designed to bring together stakeholders who create tourism experiences with those who market, sell, support and invest in them. This year’s edition has expanded beyond conventional buyer-seller meetings to include a wider range of business and investment interactions.
The inaugural ceremony was highlighted by the felicitation of sports icons, including Kapil Dev, India’s first ODI World Cup-winning captain, alongside national record-holding Asian Games pole vaulter Baranica Elangovan.
A total of 145 domestic tour operators from 32 cities and 45 foreign tour operators from 27 countries are participating in the event. More than 100 local Tourism Service Providers are also taking part.According to the Tourism Department, more than 6,000 structured B2B and B2G meetings have been scheduled during the event. A dedicated Investors Session is bringing together around 40 leading national hospitality brands and 250 state investors to explore investment opportunities in Odisha.
