World Tourism Day marks tourism walk, food festival in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Tourism on Thursday celebrated World Tourism Day to attract more tourist footfalls to the state which has a vast tourism potential.

The celebration included a tourism walk, food festival and cultural Programme.

Odisha Tourism organised a Tourism walk that started from Kalinga Stadium and terminated at Utkal Mandap.

Tourism minister Ashok Chandra Panda flagged off the walk in which about a thousand persons including students, young people, senior citizens, members of skating associations, representatives of Hotel & Restaurant Association, travel association, tour operators and Odisha State Tourist Guide Association participated in the walk.

On the way, live performances of cultural programmes on 6 stages by 9 different troops were major attractions. Gotipua, Sambalpuri, Odissi, Tribal dance and Medha Nacha made the walkers amazed.

The beginning of walk from Kalinga Stadium was a gesture of curtain raiser of ensuing World Cup Hockey in Odisha, affirming the commitment of Odisha Tourism to develop sports tourism infrastructure.

A Food Festival was organised by the Department at the IDCO Exhibition Ground.

As culinary/recipes, like heritage, monuments and beach are also an integral part of tourism activities and on the other hand, smart Bhubaneswar is happening city, the organisation of a food festival like previous years was a meaningful agenda in the celebration.

22 stalls opened by different hotels, OTDC, Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology and Nutrition, OMFED and other organisations had a variety of food items including Indian, continental dishes.

Attractions included Odia Pitha, Mughlai & Kabab, Biriyani, Quick Service Snacks, Mocktail, Shakes, Bakery & Confectionary, Pizza, Chakuli & Mutton, Sea Food & Fish, Tribal Food and Milk Products.